Domestic commissions, foreign-stock commissions, FX spreads, fund costs, fractional-share spreads, and why zero commission is not zero cost.
Compare the whole cost stack: domestic and foreign commissions, FX spreads, fund expense ratios, fractional-share spreads, and transfer fees. Several brokers charge about 0.495% (max US$22) on taxable US trades and ¥0 on covered NISA products, but "zero commission" never means zero cost.
Headline commissions have fallen sharply. Several large online brokers offer ¥0 domestic online stock trades under conditions (accepting electronic delivery and any required smart-order-routing consent), and ¥0 on NISA-covered domestic and US shares and funds. For taxable US-stock trades, a common schedule is about 0.495% of the trade value, capped at roughly US$22.
Traditional full-service and branch channels cost far more — branch domestic commissions can exceed 1% with a minimum charge. So the same trade can be near-free online or over a hundred times more expensive through a branch; match the channel to your needs.
For foreign securities, the FX spread — the gap between the rate the broker buys and sells currency — is often a bigger cost than the commission. Some brokers advertise a zero real-time USD/JPY spread; others apply a per-dollar spread (for example around ¥0.20). Verify the current terms and direction, because conversion costs recur every time you buy or sell.
Fund-level costs matter more than trading fees for long-term holders: the trust fee (信託報酬), plus any underlying-fund expenses, custody, and tracking difference, compound every year. A slightly cheaper commission is irrelevant next to a fund that costs 1% more per year.
Other costs hide below the headline. Fractional or odd-lot share purchases can carry a wider spread than round lots. Transfer-out fees apply if you move securities to another broker. Bid-ask spreads on stocks and ETFs are an implicit cost. Foreign dividends carry source-country withholding. And some "zero commission" offers require electronic delivery or routing consent to apply.
The lesson is to compare the whole stack for your actual usage — not just the commission line. A broker with a slightly higher commission but a tighter FX spread and cheaper funds can be cheaper overall for a global investor. Add up the costs you will actually incur.
Brokerage (NISA/iDeCo) · Rakuten Securities
A leading low-cost brokerage for NISA and index-fund investing, integrated with Rakuten points and Rakuten Bank.
Fees: Many domestic funds and trades are low- or no-commission — verify current fee schedule.
Brokerage (NISA/iDeCo) · SBI Securities
Japan’s largest online brokerage by accounts, with a very broad low-cost fund lineup and full NISA/iDeCo support.
Fees: Many trades and funds are low- or no-commission — verify current fee schedule.
Brokerage (NISA/iDeCo) · Monex
An established online brokerage often chosen for US-stock access and research tools, with NISA and iDeCo support.
Fees: Commissions vary by product; some funds/trades are low-cost — verify current schedule.
This is education, not a recommendation. Most beginners research low-cost, broadly diversified index funds — for example all-country (全世界株式) or S&P 500 trackers — rather than picking individual stocks, because low fees and diversification are within your control while returns are not. Understand that values fall as well as rise, match the risk to your time horizon, and never invest money you may need soon.