Required documents
Health insurance card
Only Japanese health insurance cards will be accepted as a form of identification when applying to open an account.
In Japan, there are two types of health insurance cards: "Social health insurance card" and "National health insurance card".
The health insurance card required to open an account differs depending on whether six months have passed since the issuance date [許可年月日] on your residence card or the effective date [資格取得年月日 or 適用開始年月日] on your health insurance card.
Social Health Insurance card
If you are working full-time at a single company in Japan, your employer will provide you with Social Health Insurance. The monthly premium is taken directly from your salary.
- Social Health Insurance card sample
-
Front
Back
Points to note
- Please make sure that the address on your health insurance card is up to date and is the same as that on your residence card. If your current address is not written on your health insurance card, please make sure to neatly write it on the back of the card in either Japanese or English.
- Please ensure that none the text on your health insurance card is missing or illegible due to wear and tear. In this case, please apply to have your card reissued.
- Please make sure to cross out any previous address with two black lines to make it clear that it is not your current address.
National Health Insurance card
If six months have not passed since both the issuance date on your residence card and the effective date on your health insurance card, unfortunately National Health Insurance card will not be accepted as a form of identification when applying to open an account.
Foreign nationals who are not employed or do not receive health insurance from their employer (such as part-timers) and are residing in Japan with a visa valid for three months or longer are required to enroll in National health insurance. To receive your card, please visit your local municipal office.
- National Health Insurance card sample
-
Points to note
- Please make sure your National Health Insurance card is valid by closely checking the period of validity [有効期限].
- The address on your health insurance card must be up to date and the same as that on your residence card.
- Please make sure that none the text on your health insurance card is missing or illegible due to wear and tear. In this case, please apply to have your card reissued.
Note
Please make sure that the following information on your health insurance card is not visible when scanned.
Front side of the card:
Your insurance number - the symbol [記号] and insurance number [番号]
Insurer number [保険者番号]
Back side of the card:
Organ donation declaration (if you have filled in)
How to determine what type of health insurance card you have:
You can determine what type of health insurance card you have by looking at the insurer number [保険者番号] on the front of the card.
- Social Health Insurance card:
- The insurer number is eight digits, with the first two digits being any of the following: 01 02 06 31 32 33 34
- National Health Insurance card:
- The insurer number is six digits (some National Health Insurance insurer numbers have eight digits).
Why do I need a Japanese health insurance card?
Under Japanese law, when using scans (or photocopies) of documents to verify a person's identity for online banking, two different forms of documentation that show your name, date of birth, and address are required.
If six months have not passed since the issuance date of your residence card, your health insurance card is required to verify your period of stay in Japan.
Why does my current address need to be shown on my health insurance card?
Health insurance cards that do not include your current address will not be accepted as a valid form of personal identity document, so please confirm that your current address is written on your card before submitting your application to open an account.