Japan: corporate bank account opening

Obtain the corporate customer's registered name, head-office address, business activities and transaction purpose. For a Japanese company, use the commercial registration certificate to verify registered particulars and representatives. Request home-country records for a foreign company and Japanese branch records where applicable.

Confirm the representative and beneficial owners

Establish the identity of the person applying and their authority to act. The commercial register may identify a representative director; an employee applying for the account still needs an appropriate delegation or mandate.

Identify beneficial owners using the company's ownership and control information. A registration certificate does not provide a complete current shareholder list. Request the shareholder register and supporting records for corporate shareholders directly from the company, with agreements explaining control that does not follow the share percentages.

Decide which supporting evidence is needed

The FSA's March 2026 Guidelines require customer risk assessment using the customer's business, transaction purpose, ownership, geography and other relevant factors. Obtain expected receipts, payment destinations and funding details. For a new trading company with no transaction history, signed orders or contracts may support the application; established businesses can provide accounts and recent transaction evidence.

Resolve sanctions and PEP findings and obtain the approvals required for higher-risk relationships before acceptance. Record any outstanding verification and the legal basis for proceeding.

Review unusual activity and material changes after opening. Update the relevant identity, ownership or transaction-purpose information rather than treating the initial registration certificate as a permanent customer file.