- Which Japanese savings accounts pay the highest interest in 2025
- Which accounts foreigners can actually open (eligibility by visa type)
- How Japanese bank interest rates compare to your home country
- Step-by-step process for opening each account
- How to transfer savings abroad efficiently using Wise
Japan’s interest rates have been near zero for decades — but 2024–2025 brought a significant shift. The Bank of Japan raised rates for the first time since 2007, and savings account rates are now meaningfully above zero. If you’re keeping yen in a Japanese account, choosing the right bank matters more than it did a few years ago.
Japanese Savings Rates in 2025
Japan’s interest rate environment changed in 2024–2025:
- Bank of Japan raised the policy rate from -0.1% to 0.5% (as of early 2025)
- Major city banks (Mizuho, SMBC, MUFG) moved to 0.1–0.2% on standard savings
- Online banks moved to 0.2–1.0% on savings accounts
This is still low by US or European standards, but it’s a real improvement from the near-zero rates of 2020–2023. And for large balances, even 0.5% matters.
Best Savings Accounts for Foreigners in 2025
1. SBI Sumishin Net Bank — Best Overall Rate
Interest rate: Up to 0.5% (standard savings), up to 1.0% on “SBI Hybrid Deposit” when paired with SBI Securities
Foreigner eligibility: ✅ Most visa types accepted (work, spouse, PR) Minimum balance: ¥0 English support: Limited
SBI’s hybrid deposit offers 1.0% APY when you hold funds in the linked SBI Securities account before sweeping to savings. For foreigners interested in investing (NISA, iDeCo), the SBI ecosystem makes sense as a combined setup.
Drawbacks: Japanese-only app and website. Not beginner-friendly for non-Japanese speakers.
2. Rakuten Bank — Best for Rakuten Users
Interest rate: 0.1% (standard), up to 0.2% with Rakuten Card/Rakuten Securities link
Foreigner eligibility: ✅ Most visa types accepted Minimum balance: ¥0 English support: Partial (app has some English)
Rakuten Bank’s strength is the ecosystem. Link it to Rakuten Card and your cashback points stack with savings interest. Link it to Rakuten Securities for the slightly higher rate. If you’re already using Rakuten Card (the most foreigner-friendly credit card in Japan), Rakuten Bank is the natural pairing.
See our Rakuten Card guide for more on the full Rakuten ecosystem.
3. PayPay Bank — Easiest to Open
Interest rate: 0.3% (standard savings)
Foreigner eligibility: ✅ Most visa types; known for being accessible Minimum balance: ¥0 English support: Limited
PayPay Bank (formerly Japan Net Bank) is known for a smoother account opening process for foreigners. The 0.3% base rate is competitive without needing to link other accounts, making it a clean, simple choice.
4. auじぶん銀行 (au Jibun Bank) — Best Rate for au Mobile Users
Interest rate: Up to 0.4% (standard), higher with au products linked
Foreigner eligibility: ✅ Most visa types Minimum balance: ¥0 English support: None
If you use au mobile services, the linked rate bonus makes this competitive. For non-au users, the benefit diminishes.
5. Japan Post Bank (ゆうちょ) — Easiest for New Arrivals
Interest rate: 0.1% (ordinary savings), 0.25% (time deposits)
Foreigner eligibility: ✅ Easiest to open — accepts most visa types, even short-stay Minimum balance: ¥0 Locations: 24,000 ATMs across Japan
Japan Post Bank won’t win any rate comparisons, but it’s the most accessible bank in Japan for foreigners who just arrived. Any resident with a valid address can open an account. Useful as a first account while you qualify for online banks.
Savings Rate Comparison
| Bank | Standard Rate | Max Rate | Foreigner Access | Ease |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SBI Sumishin | 0.5% | 1.0% | ✅ | Medium |
| PayPay Bank | 0.3% | 0.3% | ✅ | Easy |
| auじぶん銀行 | 0.2% | 0.4% | ✅ | Medium |
| Rakuten Bank | 0.1% | 0.2% | ✅ | Easy |
| Japan Post Bank | 0.1% | 0.25% | ✅ (easiest) | Very Easy |
| MUFG/SMBC/Mizuho | 0.1% | 0.2% | ✅ | Hard |
Time Deposits (定期預金): Higher Rates for Fixed Terms
If you can lock your money away for 6–12 months, time deposits pay more:
| Bank | 6-Month Rate | 12-Month Rate |
|---|---|---|
| SBI Sumishin | 0.4–0.8% | 0.5–1.0% |
| Rakuten Bank | 0.2% | 0.25–0.3% |
| PayPay Bank | 0.3% | 0.35% |
| Japan Post Bank | 0.2% | 0.25% |
Time deposits require you to leave the money untouched for the term. Early withdrawal usually results in a penalty (lower interest applied).
How Japanese Interest Rates Compare to Your Home Country
| Country | Average Savings Rate (2025) |
|---|---|
| Japan | 0.1–1.0% |
| United States | 4.5–5.0% |
| United Kingdom | 4.0–5.0% |
| Australia | 4.5–5.5% |
| EU average | 2.5–3.5% |
The gap is real. If you have significant savings and a portion is in foreign currency, consider keeping some in a Wise multi-currency account — Wise’s interest feature on USD and EUR balances currently outperforms Japanese yen accounts significantly.
Opening a Japanese Savings Account as a Foreigner
Requirements (General)
- Residence card (在留カード)
- Japanese address (registered at city hall)
- Phone number (Japanese SIM)
- In-person or online depending on the bank
Process
Online banks (Rakuten, SBI, PayPay Bank):
- Download the app
- Upload residence card photos
- Complete video or document identity verification
- Receive card/book by post (7–14 days)
Japan Post Bank:
- Visit any post office
- Bring residence card + My Number card
- Account opened same day
Common Rejection Reasons
- Recently arrived (under 3–6 months)
- No My Number card linked
- Temporary stay visa (観光, 短期滞在)
- Address not registered at city hall (住民票)
Sending Savings Abroad Efficiently
If you’re saving in Japan but sending money home, use Wise:
- Real mid-market exchange rate (no markup)
- Fee typically 0.5–1% of the transfer amount
- Much cheaper than Japanese bank wire transfers (which often charge ¥2,500–4,000 plus a 1–3% exchange spread)
For large transfers (moving savings home when you leave Japan), the difference between Wise and a bank wire can be hundreds of dollars. See our full Wise Japan guide.
Building a Smart Financial Stack in Japan
| Purpose | Recommended Tool |
|---|---|
| Savings (JPY) | SBI Sumishin or PayPay Bank |
| Everyday spending | Rakuten Card + PayPay |
| Foreign currency savings | Wise |
| International transfers | Wise |
| Long-term investing | SBI Securities (NISA) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which bank has the highest interest rate in Japan in 2025? SBI Sumishin Net Bank offers the highest rates for foreigners — up to 1.0% on the Hybrid Deposit when combined with SBI Securities. PayPay Bank offers 0.3% without any account linking required.
Can foreigners open a savings account in Japan? Yes, most foreigners on work, spouse, or permanent resident visas can open savings accounts at Japanese banks. Japan Post Bank is the easiest. Online banks like Rakuten and PayPay Bank are accessible after 3–6 months of residency.
Is Japan Post Bank safe for savings? Yes — all Japanese banks are covered by Japan’s deposit protection scheme (預金保険機構), which covers up to ¥10,000,000 per depositor per institution.
Should I save in yen or keep savings in foreign currency? This depends on your plans. If you plan to stay in Japan long-term, yen savings make sense. If you plan to return home within a few years, keeping some savings in your home currency via Wise reduces exchange rate risk.