How To Close Your Bank Account in Japan

When you leave Japan or just have a bank account that you don't use anymore, why not close it?

It's not as hard as I thought, for someone who has never opened a bank account on my own.

As a bit of background, I had three bank accounts, each opened for different jobs. Two were very local to Kyushu, where I lived for almost five years. Recently we moved to a small town in Kansai with not even an ATM for either of those banks in the area. I decided to close both as I didn't see the point in going into the city each time I needed to take care of something I couldn't do using online banking. Neither of those accounts were even set up for online banking, so even doing that meant a visit to the branch in the city.

First, you'll want to check and double check that all of the coming and going payments are finished and settled. You can withdraw or transfer cash if you want, but that can be done when you close the account.

You will need your bank book, cash card, ID (zairyu card or passport if you no longer live in Japan), and hanko. If you have a one time password thing for online banking, bring that too.

At the window, just let them know you want to close the account. In Japanese there's a special word I forget, but I just said, "Kouza wa tojitaidesu." (I want to close (my) account.)

I did this at two banks. Both tellers replied to the above Japanese statement with, "Close desu ne?" so maybe they're just using English to check... Thought it was a little funny.

Bank number one had a balance of 0, so it was super fast.

I had to enter my pin number and the form was printed out with all my info on it.

Both banks punch a hole in the bank book, put a sticker on front, and stamp inside under the last entry, and keep the cash card (and any online banking key).

I keep the bank book for my records and get a form saying the account was closed.

No ID shown, no hanko needed. I was surprised that any random person could have said it was their account and closed it.

Bank number two had a balance and a number of transactions I hadn't updated. I had to hand write my name and account number on the form, stamp my hanko, then wait.

I asked if they wanted to transfer my balance to another account or give me everything as cash; they said the latter is their policy.

My transactions were updated by staff after I confirmed there shouldn't be anything pending. I wished I had done this in the ATM first to look over it.

A few staff watched over the careful counting out of money and thanked me for my business as they handed me a tray containing my form, bank book, cash, and an envelope. I awkwardly stuffed the cash into the envelope before leaving the counter.

Again, no showing of my ID.

I was a bit surprised by this lack of proof of identity. I'd bring all of it just in case to avoid another trip if you do need it.

But also, guard your bank books and hanko carefully!