If you want to steadily save with a bank savings account, interest rates and the ease of procedures are key. With concerns about retirement funds increasing, where you start is quite important.

Looking at the savings account ranking, the differences really come down to interest rates. Sony Bank’s 1.000% for a 1-year term and 0.750% for a 3-year term are better than the market average. Saving 10,000 yen every month for 3 years would earn about 4,000 yen in interest. They also offer automatic deposit services, making it easy to switch from other banks. Since you can cancel online, it’s also convenient if you suddenly need funds.

Aeon Bank offers a flat 0.500% for the entire period, targeting people who frequently use the Aeon Group. It’s also easy to start with just 500 yen per month. Rakuten Bank offers a higher rate of 0.700% for a 5-year term, but it doesn’t have an automatic deposit service, which is a bit of a hassle. Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation also offers 0.700% for a 5-year term, which isn’t bad, but the lack of automatic deposits is a drawback.

Regional banks are also options. Yokohama Bank and Kyoto Bank offer 0.600% for a 5-year term, with the advantage of being regionally focused. Mizuho Bank offers 0.900% for a 10-year term, making it suitable for long-term investments.

Ultimately, the top banks in the savings account ranking are those with high interest rates and simple procedures. Whether or not they offer automatic deposits greatly affects the monthly effort. It’s important to consider your living area and the services you use to find the option that allows you to continue saving with the least stress.