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Sony Bank's Multi-Currency Account

The Sony Bank multi currency account Japan residents use most is a yen account paired with foreign-currency deposits plus direct overseas spending through the Sony Bank WALLET card.12 You hold foreign currency at Sony Bank, then spend or remit it without routing every payment back through yen.134

Confirm current details with official sources

Procedures, fees, and requirements can change. Confirm current details at Sony Bank's official site.

Overview​

Sony Bank combines 外貨預金 (gaika yokin, "foreign-currency deposit") accounts with a Visa debit card that draws on those balances directly.12 You buy foreign currency from your yen ordinary account, hold it in the matching currency account, then spend it abroad, withdraw it abroad, or remit it outward in the same currency.134

This setup is uniform nationwide because Sony Bank operates online with no branch network. Terms do not vary by ward or city office.5 Eligibility is residency-gated rather than nationality-gated: you need to reside in Japan and hold a Sony Bank yen ordinary account, and outbound transfers additionally require physical presence in Japan.5

Who this account fits​

Foreign-source income earners use the account to receive and hold home currency, then convert to yen on their own timing.64 Frequent travelers hold dollars or euros ahead of trips and spend them directly through the card abroad.23 Dual-jurisdiction residents keep both yen and foreign-currency balances in one bank and move funds between Sony Bank accounts in real time.6

Foreign-currency deposits (gaika yokin)​

外貨預金 (gaika yokin, "foreign-currency deposit") covers ordinary deposits, time deposits, and accumulation purchases held at Sony Bank.17 You must hold a yen ordinary account first. Buying foreign currency from that yen account in the app or logged-in site opens the corresponding currency account.15

The diagram above captures the account-opening sequence because every foreign-currency use in later sections depends on completing these steps in order.15

Supported currencies and account types​

Sony Bank handles 12 foreign currencies: US dollars, euros, British pounds, Australian dollars, New Zealand dollars, Canadian dollars, Swiss francs, Hong Kong dollars, Brazilian real, Chinese yuan (CNH), South African rand, and Swedish krona.85 The lineup does not include Norwegian krone. Readers looking for Norwegian krone need a different bank or transfer service.85

Ordinary deposits have no fixed term and can be withdrawn at any time.5 Time deposits run from 1 month and carry higher rates than ordinary deposits in the same currency.9 Accumulation purchases automate small recurring buys for readers who prefer to average their entry timing.1

TermReadingMeaning
外貨預金gaika yokinForeign-currency deposit1
外貨普通預金gaika futsū yokinForeign-currency ordinary deposit7
外貨定期預金gaika teiki yokinForeign-currency time deposit9

Ordinary interest uses a floating rate set against market rates and shown on the Sony Bank site.5 Interest settles twice yearly on the February and August cycle and is added to the balance.5 Balances below 10 currency units earn no interest.5

Time deposits offer three maturity paths. You can roll principal plus after-tax interest into the same-period time deposit, receive it into the same-currency ordinary account and choose your own yen-conversion timing, or receive it automatically converted to yen at the sale rate into the yen account.9

Time deposits generally cannot be terminated early

Early termination of foreign-currency time deposits is generally not permitted. An exceptional termination applies the lower of 10 percent of the contracted rate or the ordinary-deposit rate retroactively, and Brazilian real time deposits add a 3 percent principal charge.8

Minimums and how an account opens​

Ordinary deposits start from 1 currency unit, in 1/100 subunit increments (as of 2025-12-01; confirm current figures with Sony Bank).5 Time deposits start from 1,000 yen in 1-yen increments when funded from yen, or from 10 units of the foreign currency (as of 2025-12-01).9 Accumulation purchases start from 500 yen (as of 2026-09-07; confirm current figures with Sony Bank).1

The table below summarizes entry minimums as a group (figures as dated in each row).

ItemMinimumAs ofNotes
Ordinary deposit1 currency unit2025-12-015Per-unit subunit increments
Time deposit from yen1,000 yen2026-09-0791-yen increments
Time deposit from foreign currency10 currency units2026-09-079Varies by currency subunit
Accumulation purchase500 yen2026-09-071Recurring buys

Limit-order purchases require at least 1,000 yen or at least 10 foreign-currency units depending on the currency and denomination (as of 2025-12-01).5

Exchange costs and principal risk​

Sony Bank publishes three linked rates. TTS (TTS, "customer purchase rate") applies when you buy foreign currency, TTB (TTB, "customer sale rate") applies when you sell, and TTM (TTM, "reference rate") is the bank reference tied to market moves.7 The TTS/TTM and TTM/TTB gaps are the exchange cost you bear on each leg.8

Because both legs bear a cost, the yen receipt can fall below the yen deposit even when the market rate itself has not moved.85 Published standard costs are upper bounds. Club S (kurabu esu, "Sony Bank preferential program") tiers and campaigns can price below them.8

Typical spreads and Club S preferential costs​

Standard one-way costs against yen run 15 sen for US dollars and euros, 45 sen for British pounds, Australian dollars, New Zealand dollars, Canadian dollars, and Swiss francs, 9 sen for Hong Kong dollars and Swedish krona, 20 sen for South African rand, 30 sen for Chinese yuan (CNH), and 90 sen for Brazilian real (as of 2026-09-07; confirm current figures with Sony Bank).68

Club S Silver, Gold, and Platinum tiers reduce those costs. US dollar pricing falls to 10, 7, and 4 sen across the three tiers (as of 2026-09-07).6 Euro pricing falls to 12, 10, and 8 sen (as of 2026-09-07).6 British pound, Australian dollar, New Zealand dollar, Canadian dollar, and Swiss franc pricing falls to 30, 25, and 20 sen (as of 2026-09-07).6

The table below covers standard and Platinum pricing as a group (figures as dated in each row).

CurrencyStandard one-way vs yenPlatinum one-way vs yenAs ofNotes
USD15 sen4 sen2026-09-076Per dollar
EUR15 sen8 sen2026-09-076Per euro
GBP/AUD/NZD/CAD/CHF45 sen20 sen2026-09-076Per currency unit
HKD9 sen5 sen2026-09-076Per Hong Kong dollar
SEK9 sen6 sen2026-09-076Per krona
ZAR20 sen8 sen2026-09-076Per rand
CNH30 sen15 sen2026-09-076Per yuan (CNH)
BRL90 sen40 sen2026-09-076Per real

Against US dollars, standard one-way costs are 0.0018 dollars per euro, 0.0050 dollars per British pound, Australian dollar, or New Zealand dollar, 0.0050 counterpart units per dollar for Canadian dollars and Swiss francs, 0.0250 for Hong Kong dollars, Brazilian real, Chinese yuan (CNH), and South African rand, and 0.0090 for Swedish krona (as of 2026-09-07).6 Club S tiers reduce each of these per the fee table (as of 2026-09-07).6

New accounts receive zero exchange cost on yen-funded foreign-currency purchases from the opening date through the end of the second following month (as of 2026-09-07).1

Why yen principal can fall even when rates look flat​

Exchange-rate moves alone can reduce yen-converted principal between deposit and withdrawal.85 Two-leg exchange costs add a second drag that applies even in a flat market.85

Foreign-currency balances sit outside deposit insurance

Foreign-currency deposits are not covered by deposit insurance. Yen deposits at the same bank do not extend their cover to these balances.85

Brazilian real, Chinese yuan (CNH), and South African rand carry higher liquidity, market-function, and sharp repricing or trading-halt risk than advanced-economy currencies (as of 2025-12-01; confirm current risk notices with Sony Bank).8 Interest is subject to 20.315 percent withholding at source (as of 2025-12-01).5 Exchange gains are generally miscellaneous income under aggregate taxation, with a filing exemption for salary earners at 20M yen or below whose non-salary income is 200K yen or below, while exchange losses can offset miscellaneous income (as of 2025-12-01).5

Spending and moving foreign currency​

Sony Bank WALLET direct spending abroad​

The Sony Bank WALLET (sonī banko uoretto, "Visa-debit cash card") combines a domestic cash-card function with Visa debit spending at domestic and overseas Visa merchants.2 It also supports local-currency withdrawals at overseas ATMs bearing Visa or PLUS marks.2 Yen purchases settle from the yen ordinary account, in principle immediately.2

For 10 supported foreign currencies (US dollars, euros, British pounds, Australian dollars, New Zealand dollars, Canadian dollars, Swiss francs, Hong Kong dollars, South African rand, and Swedish krona), spending debits the same-currency ordinary account directly with no shopping handling fee (as of 2025-12-01; confirm current figures with Sony Bank).23 Counting yen, Sony Bank markets the card as 11-currency compatible.3

The diagram above captures the Wallet settlement choice because the fee outcome turns on whether the matching balance exists before payment.210

When the matching balance is short, 円からアシスト (en kara ashisto, "yen assist") converts only the shortfall from yen at the purchase rate and applies it before debit.210 Purchases in other currencies, or in supported currencies with no account opened, settle from yen at the Visa-designated rate plus a 1.79 percent handling fee including tax (as of 2025-12-01).2

The relevant currency ordinary account must be opened before the card can draw on it.10 Annual and new-issue fees are free, while reissue costs 1,650 yen including tax (as of 2025-12-01).2 Shopping limits default to 500K yen per day and 2M yen per month, adjustable within 0 to 2M per day and 0 to 10M per month, with domestic and overseas limits set separately.2

Open the currency account before travel

Opening the matching foreign-currency account before departure changes the fee outcome even when yen assist would otherwise cover the purchase. The balance can be zero at opening; the account itself is what enables direct settlement.10

Overseas ATM withdrawals and fees​

Overseas ATM withdrawals pull local currency directly from the matching foreign-currency ordinary account for supported currencies.210 Without a sufficient balance, yen assist converts the shortfall from yen before withdrawal.210

Withdrawal handling costs 1.79 percent including tax of the withdrawal amount when the supported currency is held (as of 2025-12-01; confirm current figures with Sony Bank).2 Without the balance or outside supported currencies, handling is 1.79 percent including tax plus a 220 yen ATM fee including tax, with Club S stage cashback available on that ATM fee (as of 2025-12-01).2

The table below covers overseas use pricing as a group (figures as dated in each row).

ItemAmountAs ofNotes
Overseas ATM, supported currency held1.79 percent incl. tax2025-12-012Of withdrawal amount
Overseas shopping, non-held or unsupported1.79 percent incl. tax2025-12-012On Visa-converted yen
Overseas ATM, non-held or unsupported1.79 percent incl. tax plus 220 yen incl. tax2025-12-012Club S may cash back ATM fee
Card reissue1,650 yen incl. tax2025-12-012Per reissue

Local ATM-operator surcharges or fees can apply separately depending on country or machine.2 Overseas ATM limits default to 100K yen per day and 200K yen per month, adjustable within 0 to 1M yen each.2 Refunds or cancellations on card use can take up to about 45 days to return to the account.2

Receiving and sending foreign-currency remittances​

Inbound remittances to Sony Bank land in the same-currency foreign-currency ordinary account.86 Yen-denominated inbound transfers from overseas are also receivable.6 Inbound receipt costs nothing any number of times with no stated amount or count limit (as of 2026-09-07; confirm current figures with Sony Bank).64 Intermediary or relay-bank lifting charges, if any, are deducted before credit.6

Inbound foreign-currency receipt covers 10 currencies: US dollars, euros, British pounds, Australian dollars, New Zealand dollars, Canadian dollars, Swiss francs, Hong Kong dollars, South African rand, and Swedish krona.6 Brazilian real and Chinese yuan (CNH) are not handled for inbound receipt.6

Outbound remittance from held foreign-currency balances to domestic or overseas banks completes online outside maintenance windows, directly in the held currency.4 Each outbound transfer costs 3,000 yen plus a 3,000 yen paying-bank fee when the payer-bears-paying-bank-fee option is selected (as of 2026-09-07; confirm current figures with Sony Bank).6 Amendment, recall, and inquiry handling each cost 5,000 yen (as of 2026-09-07).6

The table below covers remittance pricing as a group (figures as dated in each row).

ItemAmountAs ofNotes
Inbound receipt fee0 yen, unlimited2026-09-076Intermediary charges may deduct
Outbound remittance fee3,000 yen2026-09-076Per transfer
Paying-bank fee, payer-bears option3,000 yen2026-09-076Added to remittance fee
Sony-to-Sony foreign-currency transfer0 yen, real time2026-09-076No prior verification step
Amendment, recall, inquiry5,000 yen each2026-09-076Per handling

Club S Gold and Platinum customers receive partial free outbound remittance fees, with Platinum advertised as 3 free transfers per month and 3,000 yen from the fourth transfer (as of 2026-09-07).64 Transfers between Sony Bank accounts in foreign currency are free on both legs and settle in real time with no prior verification step.6 Brazilian real and Chinese yuan cannot be sent outward.68 Cash foreign-currency deposits and traveler checks are not handled.86

Additional intermediary charges can arrive after sending

Banks in the relay chain can bill lifting or handling charges after execution. Sony Bank notes these may be claimed additionally even after the stated remittance and paying-bank fees.6

Eligibility and account prerequisites​

Eligibility requires age 15 or older, residence in Japan, and an existing Sony Bank yen ordinary account.5 Customers who do not yet hold an account open the yen account first.8 Customers under 18 cannot open Brazilian real or Chinese yuan accounts.5 On cancellation of a foreign-currency account, principal plus unpaid interest moves to the yen ordinary account.5

Customers whose registered investment objective rejects any principal-loss risk are restricted from foreign-currency trading.8 Outbound remittance and Sony-to-Sony foreign-currency transfer require physical presence in Japan, and customers residing outside Japan cannot use them.5 Cash foreign-currency deposits are not accepted.6

Good to know​

Brazilian real and Chinese yuan accounts cannot be opened by under-18 customers​

Customers under 18 cannot open Brazilian real or Chinese yuan accounts at all.5 Cancellation proceeds return to yen rather than staying in foreign currency.5 Combined with the Wallet and remittance exclusions for these two currencies, under-18 holders should treat other supported currencies as the practical spending and transfer set.26

Wallet spending from a held balance avoids the 1.79 percent handling fee​

Spending from a held supported-currency balance carries no shopping fee, while the same purchase without the balance or in an unsupported currency adds 1.79 percent including tax on the Visa-converted yen amount.2 Opening the currency account before travel therefore changes the fee outcome even when yen assist would otherwise cover the purchase.210

Yen assist converts only the shortfall at the purchase rate​

When the foreign-currency balance covers part of a payment, yen assist converts only the missing portion from yen at the purchase rate before debit.210 This removes pre-exchange timing pressure for small shortfalls.10 Refunds on yen-assist purchases return to the foreign-currency account rather than yen.10

Foreign-currency deposits are not covered by deposit insurance​

Foreign-currency deposits sit outside deposit insurance even though yen deposits at the same bank are covered.85 Rate moves plus two-leg exchange costs can leave yen-converted receipts below deposits even without a market move.85 Readers holding large balances should weigh this exclusion alongside exchange-rate risk before concentrating funds in foreign currency.8

Outbound transfers need presence in Japan and an open currency account​

Outbound remittance and Sony-to-Sony foreign-currency transfer require physical presence in Japan.5 Customers residing outside Japan cannot use them.5 Travelers should open the needed currency accounts before departure and expect online remittance to pause during maintenance windows.410

See also​

References​

Footnotes​

  1. Sony Bank. 「外貨預金」. https://sonybank.jp/products/fc/ ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11 ↩12

  2. Sony Bank. 「Sony Bank WALLET 商品詳細説明書」 (2025-12-01). https://sonybank.jp/products/sbw/03.html ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11 ↩12 ↩13 ↩14 ↩15 ↩16 ↩17 ↩18 ↩19 ↩20 ↩21 ↩22 ↩23 ↩24 ↩25 ↩26 ↩27

  3. Sony Bank. 「お買物に外貨なミカタ。Sony Bank WALLET」. https://sonybank.jp/lp/fcw/01/ ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5

  4. Sony Bank. 「スマートな外貨預金を。ソニー銀行という選択。」. https://sonybank.jp/lp/fc03/ ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7

  5. Sony Bank. 「外貨普通預金の契約締結前交付書面」 (2025-12-01). https://sonybank.jp/contract/fc1/fc1.html ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11 ↩12 ↩13 ↩14 ↩15 ↩16 ↩17 ↩18 ↩19 ↩20 ↩21 ↩22 ↩23 ↩24 ↩25 ↩26 ↩27 ↩28 ↩29

  6. Sony Bank. 「外貨預金・外貨送金手数料」. https://sonybank.jp/guide/fee/02.html ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11 ↩12 ↩13 ↩14 ↩15 ↩16 ↩17 ↩18 ↩19 ↩20 ↩21 ↩22 ↩23 ↩24 ↩25 ↩26 ↩27 ↩28 ↩29 ↩30 ↩31 ↩32 ↩33 ↩34 ↩35 ↩36

  7. Sony Bank. 「外貨普通預金」. https://sonybank.jp/products/fc/01.html ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  8. Sony Bank. 「外貨預金の重要事項」. https://sonybank.jp/products/fc/notice01.html ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11 ↩12 ↩13 ↩14 ↩15 ↩16 ↩17 ↩18 ↩19

  9. Sony Bank. 「外貨定期預金」. https://sonybank.jp/products/fc/02.html ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6

  10. Sony Bank. 「外貨口座を開設して円からアシスト機能を使おう」. https://sonybank.jp/products/sbw/assist.html ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11