Japanese bank account while living abroad?

I'll be leaving Japan in a couple of months for an indefinite period and I'm wondering if it's possible to keep/have a bank account without a Japanese address.

The obvious answer is "no", but maybe someone here knows more.

I just checked the FAQ section of JNB (Japan Net Bank) and they also say that it's not possible/allowed. Final answer?

 

Nope, it's not possible. however you could leave japan without letting the bank know so your account would stay open　until the figured out you'd left the country.

Yakumo

 

If you have parents living in Japan, then simply talk to them and let them know whats going on and then change the address at the bank over to your parents, just don't tell them its your parents place and make them think you moved.. and if they say its your parents just say you moved back in with them lol.

 

that, but with the address of a good friend.

 

Nice one madhatter256,




Madhatter256's suggestion is the best cause if you don't do it the way hes mentioned they can freeze the account or even seize your saving.

 

Very interesting. I didn't know such a thing existed but I doubt I'll go that far.

Thanks also for the other suggestions, guys. They won't help in my situation though.

 

Can't you get mail redirect, that way your mail will go somewhere and the bank will be none the wiser that you have gone?

 

Fina answer is: Yes, you can. I kept my JNB account while I was in Hawaii for 2+ years. Even if you get audited and they figure out you illegally have a bank account, the penalties are likely a slap on the wrist. JJust say you didn't have time to shut it if something comes up.

Also, there are services which will mail you all your mail via EMS once a month. They're pricey, but you'd get all your shit.

And for the record, when I moved back, I went to Citibank to check if my account was still open, explaining my story to the guy. He didn't pull that, "of course you had it shut, b/c you would have had to" so that right there tells you he's had experience of people leaving and coming back, leaving the accounts open.

I would also recommend opening a Shinsei account before you leave, just in case.