What you need to have on hand
- Author
- CRYPTO PORT Editorial
- Published
- Updated
- Reading time
- 5 min
In short
To use a registered exchange in Japan you will generally need identity documents, a bank account in your own name, and an email address and phone number you can actually receive on. The exact documents and flow differ by provider, so read their own guidance before applying. Having the paperwork ready is not the same as having decided to proceed.
Key points
- Identity verification is required by law and cannot be skipped
- The bank account used for deposits and withdrawals normally has to be in your own name
- Without a working email address and phone number the process stalls partway
- Which documents are accepted, and how long review takes, varies by provider
Definition
The documents, contact details, and bank account you need in place before an exchange will open an account for you and let you move yen in and out.
Opening an account requires identity verification. This is a legal anti-money-laundering requirement, not something a provider can waive. A service advertising that no verification is needed is very likely operating without registration in Japan, and is best avoided.
In general you will need photo identification, something that confirms your current address, and a bank account in your own name. Most providers use a smartphone flow where you photograph the document and your face; some also post a card to your address as a second check. Which documents count, and how many, differs between providers.
Contact details are easy to underestimate. Your email address is where confirmations and important notices arrive, and your phone number is used for two-factor authentication and verification calls. Register an address you never read and you will miss the message that matters — the one sent when withdrawals are suspended. Treat 'do not reuse a password from another service' and 'turn on two-factor authentication from day one' as part of the setup, not as later improvements.
Review takes time. It can finish the same day, or take several days if a document is unclear or the provider is busy. Do not let 'I want to buy now but the account is not ready' become a source of pressure. The waiting period is also time to reconsider whether to proceed.
Watch out for
- · Treat 'no identity check needed' as a sign the provider is unregistered
- · Using someone else's account, or lending yours, means taking part in a crime
- · Having an open account is not a reason to buy anything
Frequently asked questions
Will I need my My Number?
It depends on the provider and the specific procedure. Each exchange publishes the required documents on its account-opening page — check there before applying.