Translation guide
A bankbook is a physical booklet issued by a bank to record deposits, withdrawals, and account balances. In Japan, bankbooks (通帳) are still widely used alongside cash cards.
The physical booklet used to record bank transactions.
The standard term for a bankbook in Japan. Often used with the bank name or account type.
I update my bankbook.
Please bring your bankbook and seal.
A more formal term, literally 'deposit bankbook'. Used in official contexts.
Issue a bankbook.
Literally 'bank bankbook'. Less common, but may be used to distinguish from postal savings.
I lost my bankbook.
An electronic equivalent of a bankbook, such as an online transaction history.
In Japan, you insert your bankbook into an ATM to update it (記帳). The machine prints transactions since the last update. If the book is full, you get a new one (繰越).
A Japanese bankbook (通帳) is often required for transactions, along with a cash card or seal. It's not just a passive record; it's an active banking tool.