Sending Money Home

When sending your last amount of yen home, remember that you’ll get a better rate if you change it in Japan before you return. Note: Please make sure your tax representative is aware of the method by which you want them to send your pension tax refund money home (and the remittance procedures involved). Here are three options for sending money home:

GoLloyds Overseas Remittances Service
(http://www.golloyds.com)
This overseas remittance service costs Y2,000 per transfer to an overseas account of your choice. You simply transfer (振込 furikomi) it from an ATM or bank and the money should arrive within one to two business days. If you already send money home this way this is probably the best option; otherwise it takes about a week to set up. 

Note: Due to recent money-laundering laws you can only wire up to 100,000 yen in cash via an ATM. If you want to send more than this, you’ll have to do it directly from your account, or go into the bank and do it at the counter.


Shinsei Bank PowerFlex Bank Account
(http://www.shinseibank.com/english/)
PowerFlex account holders can use their Shinsei Bank ATM cards at ATMs around the world to withdraw cash in that country’s local currency. This is also one of the few fully bilingual banks in Japan that offers online banking (all in English). It’s very easy to apply for a PowerFlex account - you can download the application online or go to their Ichibancho Branch, located across from HMV.

Benefits include:
-You can withdraw local currency at ATMs on the PLUS network, at no Shinsei Bank surcharge (your home country ATM may charge you an ATM surcharge)
-Free bilingual online banking
-Free 24-hour Shinsei Bank ATM (Ichibancho)
-Free ATM transactions at most non-Shinsei Bank ATMs (all City Bank ATMs, Post Office ATMs, and 7-11 ATMs)
-Free domestic bank transfers (振込み furikomi)
-Foreign currency savings accounts

Post Office Remittance Service
(http://www.jp-bank.japanpost.jp/kojin/tukau/kaigai/sokin/kj_tk_kg_sk_index.html)
At the post office, you can send an International Postal Money Order (国際送金　kokusai soukin). Ask for a International Remittance Application & Declaration Form (国際送金請求申告書 kokusai sokin seikyu shinkokusho). Be sure to bring your Alien Registration Card (and hanko if withdrawing from a postal account).

There are two different sending options for this service:
-You can send money directly to an account (postal or bank account depending on the country). This is called 口座あて送金　kouza ate soukin. ¬It takes about 4-6 days for the money to arrive. Costs 2,500 yen
-You can mail a cheque to someone. This is called 住所あて送金　juusho ate soukin. It takes about 5-10 days for the cheque to arrive, and it must be taken to a post office to be cashed. Only the person named on the cheque can cash it. Costs 2,500 yen, except to the USA (which costs 2,000 yen, but you must mail the cheque yourself. For security, it may be best to send it by EMS registered mail.)
Availability of these options varies by country. Check the above link (Japanese only)

There are two different payment options for this service:
-You can send money directly from a post office account. This is called 口座間送金　kouza kan soukin.
-You can pay in cash (現金 genkin)