Opening A Bank Acct in JP, While in the U.S.

[TheAdjustment]

My bank is national not international. Is there a way I can open a bank account in Japan without physically having to go there to do so? I only speak a little bit of Japanese so I know that doesn't help my situation very much, but if someone could also recommend me to a bank in Japan that would rip me off, ideally I just want to have a checking account so I can wire money from the U.S. to my Japan account. When I go to Japan I want to be all set to use my checkcard without any sort of additional hassle. Thanks everyone.

[Dutch Baka]

I don't think that is possible... anyone else can clarify this?

You could try an international bank, city bank for example. They have a lot of offices in Japan.

[TheAdjustment]

Hmm perhaps I'll set one up another account with City Bank then. Is there any other banks that you find to be quite prevalent over there? If I went with City Bank, would you know if I could use my exact same check card for the City Bank here as I would there. I will certainly ask a banker just wondering if you knew this off the top of your head. Also is it City Bank or Citi Bank? Thanks for the quick reply.

[Dutch Baka]

Sorry I mean Citi bank.

[Goldiegirl]

We do all of our banking with Citibank. It's no trouble switching founds around either Japan to US or vice versa.