Rakuten Securities
楽天証券Brokerage (NISA/iDeCo) · Rakuten Securities
- Fees
- Varies
- English
- Partial
A leading low-cost brokerage for NISA and index-fund investing, integrated with Rakuten points and Rakuten Bank.
Brokerage account requirements compared
My Number, residence card, tax IDs, name matching, US-person declarations, visa validity, insider declarations, and rejection causes.
Direct answers
Opening any Japanese brokerage account requires My Number, identity evidence, a matching Japanese bank account, and tax-residency declarations; US persons add a FATCA declaration and face product restrictions, and most rejections come from name mismatches, short document validity, or a duplicate NISA.
Key points
- My Number is ordinarily required for securities tax administration and NISA.
- A residence card and a Japanese bank account in a matching name are core requirements.
- US citizenship/green card triggers a FATCA declaration and possible product restrictions.
- Short residence-card validity, insider status, and multiple tax residencies affect processing.
- Common rejection causes: name mismatch, short validity, duplicate NISA, or failed verification.
Core requirements
Every applicant needs identity evidence and My Number, which is ordinarily required for securities tax administration and NISA. A My Number Card usually gives the fastest process; a residence card or other ID without it is often accepted with additional My Number and address documents. You also need a Japanese bank account in your own name for funding, and you declare Japanese and foreign tax residency.
Beyond the basics, brokers collect employment, insider, nationality, and source-of-funds information. Corporate insiders face additional declarations and trading restrictions tied to their employer and any listed company they are connected to.
US persons, visas, and multiple residencies
Certain situations add steps. US citizenship or a green card triggers a FATCA declaration and can bring product restrictions — some brokers prohibit US persons from foreign-stock trading. Multiple tax residencies require additional tax-identification numbers and self-certification. A politically exposed person or a connection to a sanctioned country can trigger enhanced review or rejection.
Visa and residence-card validity matter even though the tax rule is residence-based: short remaining validity can delay or prevent opening. If you plan to leave Japan, confirm the non-resident continuation policy before applying, since it affects what happens to the account later.
Common rejection causes
Most rejections trace to a few causes: a name mismatch across the residence card, bank record, and application (the single most common); short document validity; an unsupported nationality or tax residence; a duplicate NISA at another institution; or a failed identity verification. If you already have NISA elsewhere, you may need transfer or abolition documents before a new NISA opening.
The fix is preparation: align your name everywhere, renew a soon-to-expire card, resolve any duplicate NISA, and confirm the broker accepts your status. Processing time ranges from same-day provisional access to several weeks, depending on documents and tax-authority confirmation.
Who this is for
- Anyone preparing a brokerage application
- Foreign residents and US persons
What this is not
- Readers wanting a specific broker’s form
- People already holding an account
Important cautions
- Requirements and acceptance vary by broker and can be stricter than the tax rule; confirm before applying.
Related products & services
SBI Securities
SBI証券Brokerage (NISA/iDeCo) · SBI Securities
- Fees
- Varies
- English
- Partial
Japan’s largest online brokerage by accounts, with a very broad low-cost fund lineup and full NISA/iDeCo support.
Monex Securities
マネックス証券Brokerage (NISA/iDeCo) · Monex
- Fees
- Varies
- English
- Partial
An established online brokerage often chosen for US-stock access and research tools, with NISA and iDeCo support.
Frequently asked questions
Can foreign residents open a NISA account in Japan?
Generally yes, if you are a tax resident of Japan (with a My Number) and at least 18. NISA is tied to residency, not citizenship, so most foreign residents qualify — with two big cautions: US citizens and green-card holders face US tax complications with Japanese funds, and NISA generally cannot continue after you leave Japan. Confirm eligibility and the current rules on the FSA site and with your chosen brokerage.