bank account recommendation for Japanese citizen new to Japan

Dear all,

I’ve just moved to Tokyo from the U.S. and need to open a Japanese bank account before my work begins in a week. I’m a Japanese citizen, but I left Japan as a minor and have been living in the U.S. for the past 30 years.

I’ve gone through some posts about bank recommendations, but most of them seem tailored to foreigners starting a new life in Japan. Since I’ve never lived here as an adult, I’m in the same boat (lost..), though I will be opening the account as a Japanese citizen, which seems to require slightly different documents.

I’m really interested in opening an account with Sony Bank based on recommendations I saw on this subreddit, but for Japanese applicants, they are requiring either "My Number card" or Japanese driver’s license, both of which will take some time to process and receive (the requirements I see for non-Japanese seems more manageable — "residence card, health insurance, proof of employment.."). While I'm still planing to apply for Sony bank once I get my "My Number card," I need a bank account to provide to my work within the next week.

So, I’m wondering if anyone can recommend a good bank that:

  1. Can be opened within a week for a Japanese citizen
  2. Is a GOOD bank to have in Tokyo that you can recommend
  3. Would work well alongside Sony Bank when I open that account later

I'm fluent enough in Japanese that I can process the application without English support. If you have Sony Bank and one other bank account, please share how you decided on that other bank account.

Thanks in advance for your help!

by hbandiet

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