Anyone participating in an Internship in Japan is required to do a few things after arriving in the country, before they can commence their internship program.

Namely, all interns are required to register at city hall, to receive their "Alien Registration" card (compulsory for all foreigners in Japan), and are also required to open a Japanese bank account, into which their salary will be paid monthly.

This article describes the simple process involved in obtaining these 2 necessary things.

a) City Office Registration

Foreigners planning to stay in Japan more than a couple of months need to visit their nearest City Office to apply for "Alien Registration". You will need to take:
a) 2 passport photos 45mm x 35mm in size* (write your name clearly on the back of each), and
b) your passport.

You will be required to fill out a "Gaikoku-touroku-shoumesho-moushikomi-sho" application form, which is relatively straight-forward, including your address and contact details in Japan etc.

After you submit the form, and wait about 20mins while your application is processed, you will be given a receipt of Application, showing the dates between which you must return to pick up your "Alien Registration card" (essentially, your ID card in Japan). You must take this receipt and your passport with you when you pick up your Card (approx. 2~3 weeks later).

b) Open a Bank Account

Your internship employer will need your Japanese bank account details to pay your salary into (which will be paid monthly, as with all companies in Japan), so after you have received your Alien Registration Card (approx. 2~3 weeks after you apply), you can go to the nearest bank and open your Bank Account.

You'll need to take:

a) your Alien Registration Card,
b) some cash (usually the minimum deposit is 1 yen),
c) your Hanko (stamp) - this is the equivalent of a signature in Japan - you can buy one at any 100yen shop, or newsagents. Keep it safe - you will need it to close your account too.

At the bank, you will be required to fill out 2 simple application forms (1 for your new "futsu" account, which is a regular everyday account, and 1 for your cash card, which can be used at ATM's around Japan).

The account will most likely be opened for you on the spot, and your cash card should arrive in the mail shortly after.

c) After your Internship: Closing your Bank Account

At the end of your internship, if you decide to close your bank account, you will need to visit your bank (preferably the same branch you opened the account at - but if you're far away, then any branch should be fine), taking with you the following items:

a) Your Bank Book
b) ATM Card
c) Alien Registration Card
d) Hanko (stamp)

After you give the bank clerk the above items, it should only take a few minutes for them to close your account, and give you your remaining funds from the account.

Completing an internship in Japan can be an incredibly rewarding experience. As long as you take care of the above bureaucratic processes as soon as possible, it will ensure your internship experience will be as smooth as possible.