Is being foreign the reason you can't open a corporate bank account in Japan?
Can you really be refused a corporate bank account just because you are a foreigner? To find out, we interviewed an immigration lawyer who has helped foreign business owners manage funding challenges, including opening corporate bank accounts in Japan for years.
Don't give up!: Immigration lawyer sheds light on her experience
Given that some experienced foreign business owners have already provided ample information on the general aspects of opening a corporate bank account, such as the types of financial institutions available, we would like to focus on the insights developed by an immigration lawyer, Ms Junko Sho, in Tokyo with extensive experience.
While opening corporate bank accounts is not typically within the scope of an immigration lawyer, Ms Sho has assisted clients with this process at their request over the years. What are her clients' common obstacles, and what effective strategies has she developed to overcome them? Drawing on her advice and experience, what key takeaways can readers apply to their own efforts to open a corporate bank account here in Japan?
*Ms Sho is a certified gyosei shoshi (行政書士 or administrative scrivener), a legal specialist who deals not only with immigration matters but also a wide range of official documents. Given her professional experience in immigration applications, we refer to her here as an 'immigration lawyer'.
In this article, you will see:
Understanding bank's perspective
- Corporate bank accounts are essential for your credibility
- How much detail should you include in your business plan?
- Virtual offices are, of course, not possible, however...
- Don’t choose branch randomly
- Are internet-only banks easier way to open an account?
Beyond bank prep: What else can you do?
- Consult the immigration lawyer who handled your business visa application
- Which banks are foreigner-friendly?
- Does my nationality matter?
