SWIFT/BIC codes in Japan: banks starting with H

Finding a SWIFT code in Japan

In Japan our database holds 712 SWIFT/BIC codes. You will need such a code mainly when making international transfers and for payments in a foreign currency.

Choose the bank below to view the head office code and its other codes along with tips for payments to and from that bank. The sections below explain the structure of the codes, the cost of transfers and how to avoid mistakes before you send money.

International payments to Japan and the BIC

Because Japan does not belong to SEPA, a transfer from abroad normally goes through SWIFT. This means the payment always needs the SWIFT/BIC code of the receiving bank, together with the account number or IBAN.

Not all countries use the IBAN – where there is none, the local account number is enough. The recipient’s bank usually has instructions for incoming international payments – follow them exactly. On the way to Japan, a transfer can go through correspondent banks that take a fee.

Sending JPY to Japan

Japan uses the Japanese Yen (JPY). A payment in a foreign currency will be converted into JPY before it reaches the account, and whoever converts it chooses the rate.

Where the conversion happens has an effect on the final amount, since every bank sets its own rate. Check how much JPY the recipient gets with several services before choosing one. On larger amounts, even a small difference in the rate adds up quickly.

The largest SWIFT network in Japan: Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi Ufj, LTD., The

Of all banks in Japan, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi Ufj, LTD., The has the largest number of codes. The head office of Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi Ufj, LTD., The uses BOTKJPJTXXX; that is usually the right code for a transfer.

The number of codes says more about how it registers branches and services than about how big it is. Unless a branch code is given, BOTKJPJTXXX is fine for a payment to Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi Ufj, LTD., The.

Verifying a SWIFT code from Japan

Ask the recipient to send you the account details straight from their online banking. An incorrect BIC may lead to delays, a returned payment or extra fees.

This list draws on publicly available sources that we update periodically. Even so, banks merge or change codes. For a payment that matters, confirm the BIC with the recipient. GoldexPay is not a bank.

Watch out for invoices with a new account. Before paying, verify a change of bank details by phone, using a number you already had.

SWIFT codes in Japan: banks under :letter

Here you see a filtered list: just institutions in Japan whose name begins with :letter. The totals mentioned above still cover the whole country and not only this selection.

Many institutions are listed under their official name, which may start with words like Bank or Banco, so the letter can differ from what you expect. Try the full list for Japan if you are not sure the exact name.

Bank or transfer service for Japan?

If you send money to Japan with your bank, the fee you see is only part of what you pay. Besides the fee, intermediary banks may deduct a charge and, if currencies are converted, the bank often uses a rate below the actual market rate.

The markup on the rate is often the largest cost item. A simple test: set the rate you get next to the mid-market rate and look at the difference.

For many routes, a transfer service is less expensive than a bank, mainly because of the rate. GoldexPay compares transfer services side by side, showing the amount that reaches the recipient for the same amount sent.

Receiving money in Japan from abroad

Someone abroad who wants to pay you will ask for several details from you, and missing ones are a common cause of delays. Share your name as registered with the bank, the IBAN or account number, your bank’s SWIFT code and your address.

Look up the bank in the list above. Some sending banks also ask for your bank’s address, so keep it at hand.

Do not be surprised if the amount credited is below what the sender paid. Correspondent banks can take a fee, and if the money is converted, a markup on the rate applies. Agree with the sender who pays which costs.

When does money sent to Japan arrive?

There is no single answer for payments to Japan: many arrive within a day. Bank holidays in either country can add a day or more, because banks do not process payments on those days.

Many banks use SWIFT gpi for faster and traceable payments. Every payment gets a unique transaction reference, the UETR. Specialist transfer services often provide a status online, which makes it easier to see where the money is.

Recognising a SWIFT code from Japan

SWIFT/BIC codes follow the same format worldwide: 8 characters plus an optional three-character extension. The first four letters identify the bank, the fifth and sixth characters are the country code and the next two give the location.

Whatever the bank, all Japan codes have the same fifth and sixth letters: the ISO code of the country. If those two letters point to another country, the code belongs to a bank in another country, so check again.

When a code ends in XXX, it means the main office and the short version works just as well. Choose a branch code only when the recipient explicitly gives you one; otherwise the head office code is the safe choice.