Products

An online bank popular with residents who want strong foreign-currency features, a well-regarded app, and comparatively English-friendly service.

• Multi-currency accounts and a debit card with competitive FX
• Well-rated app and online-first experience
• No-fee ATM and transfer allowances depending on account tier

Fees: No monthly account fee; ATM/transfer fees depend on tier — verify current schedule.

The bank most often recommended for English-language service, multi-currency accounts, and international needs, aimed at globally minded residents.

• End-to-end English support and documentation
• Multi-currency and foreign-remittance features
• Branch and phone support in English

Fees: Account and transfer fees vary; balance-based fee waivers apply — verify current schedule.

Japan’s large online bank, tightly integrated with the Rakuten ecosystem (card, points, securities) and popular for everyday banking.

• Deep Rakuten points and ecosystem integration
• Fee waivers and point earning based on account rank
• Smooth linking to Rakuten Securities for investing

Fees: No monthly fee; ATM/transfer fees depend on account rank — verify current schedule.

A bank historically noted for some English support and foreign-currency services, now part of the SBI group.

• Some English online banking and support
• Foreign-currency deposits and remittance options
• Tiered benefits program

Fees: Fees depend on program tier — verify current schedule.

A bank with the widest branch and ATM network in Japan, often accessible for new residents and useful in rural areas.

• Nationwide branches and ATMs, including rural areas
• Often accessible for newcomers
• Familiar for pension and government-related transfers

Fees: Basic account has no monthly fee; some transfer/ATM fees apply — verify current schedule.

A widely held no-annual-fee card known for accessible approval and strong Rakuten point earning, often chosen as a first card.

• No annual fee
• Strong Rakuten point earning across the ecosystem
• Commonly accessible approval for residents

Fees: No annual fee; interest applies only if you use revolving or installment payments.

A no-annual-fee card from Marui, known for instant in-store issuance and useful discounts, and often accessible for newer residents.

• No annual fee
• Instant issuance at Marui stores
• Discounts at partner venues and periodic sales

Fees: No annual fee for the base card; interest only on revolving/installment use.

Annual-fee cards offering travel benefits, insurance, and membership rewards, with English-language support — worthwhile if you use the perks.

• English-language service and application
• Travel insurance and airport-lounge access on eligible cards
• Transferable membership rewards points

Fees: Annual fee varies by card tier — compare against the benefits you will use.

A leading low-cost brokerage for NISA and index-fund investing, integrated with Rakuten points and Rakuten Bank.

• Broad low-cost index fund and ETF lineup
• NISA and iDeCo support
• Point integration and easy Rakuten Bank linking

Fees: Many domestic funds and trades are low- or no-commission — verify current fee schedule.

Japan’s largest online brokerage by accounts, with a very broad low-cost fund lineup and full NISA/iDeCo support.

• Extensive low-cost fund and ETF selection
• NISA and iDeCo support
• Multiple point-program options

Fees: Many trades and funds are low- or no-commission — verify current fee schedule.

An established online brokerage often chosen for US-stock access and research tools, with NISA and iDeCo support.

• Strong US-stock lineup and research tools
• NISA and iDeCo support
• Point-program options

Fees: Commissions vary by product; some funds/trades are low-cost — verify current schedule.

Beginner-friendly cloud accounting built around guided workflows, popular with sole proprietors for blue-return filing and e-Tax.

• Guided, question-based bookkeeping for beginners
• Bank/card auto-import and blue-return output
• Invoice-system and e-Tax support

Fees: Subscription plans (monthly/annual) vary by tier — verify current pricing.

Cloud accounting with strong automation and integrations, popular with freelancers and small companies that value flexible bookkeeping.

• Extensive bank/card/service integrations
• Flexible bookkeeping suited to growing businesses
• Invoice-system and e-Tax support

Fees: Subscription plans vary by tier — verify current pricing.

A long-established accounting-software brand with desktop and cloud options, widely used and supported by tax professionals.

• Long track record and wide professional familiarity
• Desktop and cloud options
• Blue-return and e-Tax support

Fees: Desktop license or cloud subscription depending on product — verify current pricing.

A long-term fixed-rate mortgage program backed by the Japan Housing Finance Agency, offered via partner lenders and often accessible without permanent residency.

• Long-term fixed rate for payment certainty
• Rules-based eligibility via many partner lenders
• Often accessible to residents without permanent residency

Fees: Rate and fees vary by lender and loan-to-value — verify current terms.

A licensed money-transfer service that uses the mid-market exchange rate with a transparent, upfront fee — often cheaper than bank wires for personal transfers.

• Mid-market exchange rate with a visible fee
• Multi-currency account and debit card
• Clear estimate of the recipient amount before sending

Fees: Transparent per-transfer fee plus mid-market rate — compare the recipient amount.

A multi-currency app account with a card and fee allowances for currency exchange, useful for people who spend or hold multiple currencies.

• Hold and exchange multiple currencies in-app
• Card spending abroad with competitive FX
• English-language app and support

Fees: Plan-based; free FX up to allowances, then a fee — verify current terms.

An FSA-registered, JVCEA-member crypto exchange serving Japanese residents, commonly cited for a long operating history.

• FSA-registered and JVCEA member
• Established operating track record
• Standard buy/sell and exchange functions

Fees: Trading fees and spreads vary by product and order type — verify current schedule.

An FSA-registered, JVCEA-member crypto exchange serving Japanese residents, often noted for its trading interface.

• FSA-registered and JVCEA member
• Order-book trading for multiple assets
• Established Japanese exchange

Fees: Maker/taker fees and spreads vary — verify current schedule.