Opening a bank account
Personal identification such as a passport, driver’s license, certificate of alien registration etc. is required when opening a bank account.
There are several different kinds of savings (accounts); Futsu (Sogo) Yokin - Ordinary (General) Savings, Teiki Yokin - Fixed-Term Deposits, Toza Furikae Yokin - Checking (Savings), Tsumitate Yokin - Accumulative Savings.

If you open a bank account you can obtain a bankcard (cashing card). With a bankcard and a registered PIN (Personal Identity Number), you can withdraw cash, deposit cash, make a bank transfer, check your account balance, etc. at an ATM (Automatic Teller Machine).

What do you need to bring to open an account?
You will need to have your Resident Alien Card (Gaijin Card), your hand stamp (hanko), and money.

ATM (Automatic Teller Machine)
If you have a bank account and register a PIN and have a bank (cashing) card, you can make a deposit, a withdrawal, or transfer money with this card. Operating the ATM is fairly simple. ATMs usually have a Japanese instruction screen (panel), but some have English language instructions. The waiting time at ATMs is comparatively much shorter than that for the counter service. If you do not know how to use an ATM, ask a bank guide in the lobby or at the counter to help you.

 

Note 1 The information given is that confirmed as of July 2002. Note that a new system or system revisions may have been introduced after this date.

This information is from the CLAIR website. The Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR) was established in July 1988 in response to rising concerns about local level internationalization in Japan.