Buying US stocks from Japan.

[RetireJapan]

Despite this article: https://www.investopedia.com/news/inter ... t-minimum/

it seems that is still the case, as per the IB website just now: https://www.interactivebrokers.co.jp/en ... count-info

1m yen for the Japan account, $10,000 for the international LLC version.

[Kanto]

I apologize if it is a stupid question, but is it true that if you want to open an account with Interactive Broker here in Japan the minimum amount is 10,000 US? I am not a US citizen or Japanese.

https://www.interactivebrokers.co.jp/en ... hp?f=38234

If you are not American it is best to use a Japanese broker and a NISA account to save on tax!

IB for non-Americans is only a good option if you plan to move outside of Japan soon, or you are looking for more exotic products.

[michimachi]

Hi! I'm aware of NISA's advantages when it comes to taxes but what if I was thinking of being a swing trader? Is the NISA account allowed to be used as such? (as far as I know it's not)

[RetireJapan]

Hi! I'm aware of NISA's advantages when it comes to taxes but what if I was thinking of being a swing trader? Is the NISA account allowed to be used as such? (as far as I know it's not)

NISA is not a good fit for trading because each time you sell you lose that part of your NISA allowance, so you can only buy up to 1.2m yen a year. If your total purchases will be less than that it might work, but most people can expect to lose money day trading.

[Spa06Jc]

Despite this article: https://www.investopedia.com/news/inter ... t-minimum/

it seems that is still the case, as per the IB website just now: https://www.interactivebrokers.co.jp/en ... count-info

1m yen for the Japan account, $10,000 for the international LLC version.

I opened an International LLC account with IB in September 2020. Once it was mostly set up, they encouraged me to fund it with a recommended $10,000 dollars saying that this would take precedence over accounts being funded with less, but I was still able to go ahead and fund the account with half of that without issues. Took a day or two after wiring the money via USJ for me to begin trading.

My experience with IB has been mostly positive, although it's a bit more complicated than I was expecting. Despite the 'Client Portal' being the friendly interface (the other being a trader workstation view), it still needs some time to get to grips with.

[godzilla1969]

Firstrade accepts investors who reside in Japan.
...

https://www.firstrade.com/content/en-us/international

I'm not in the market, but I had a look at that and if I was, it seems very much worth checking out, doing a point by point comparison with IB.

A little late to the conversation, but I just tried to open a Firstrade account and was informed that they do not offer services to US citizens residing in Japan.

[captainspoke]

Firstrade accepts investors who reside in Japan.
...

https://www.firstrade.com/content/en-us/international

I'm not in the market, but I had a look at that and if I was, it seems very much worth checking out, doing a point by point comparison with IB.

A little late to the conversation, but I just tried to open a Firstrade account and was informed that they do not offer services to US citizens residing in Japan.

Late? No, not at all. One teacher from long ago had a sign on her door, "Better late than never."

[tokyoal]

https://www.firstrade.com/content/en-us/international

I'm not in the market, but I had a look at that and if I was, it seems very much worth checking out, doing a point by point comparison with IB.

A little late to the conversation, but I just tried to open a Firstrade account and was informed that they do not offer services to US citizens residing in Japan.

Late? No, not at all. One teacher from long ago had a sign on her door, "Better late than never."

Sorry to hear that! I'm British and had no problems (guessing it's FATCA?). Best of luck finding a different broker!

[godzilla1969]

A little late to the conversation, but I just tried to open a Firstrade account and was informed that they do not offer services to US citizens residing in Japan.

Late? No, not at all. One teacher from long ago had a sign on her door, "Better late than never."

Sorry to hear that! I'm British and had no problems (guessing it's FATCA?). Best of luck finding a different broker!

Probably. Or the IRS. Or both. Oh, well. IB seems fine, and to be my only reasonable option as a US citizen.

[bfuisting]

Despite this article: https://www.investopedia.com/news/inter ... t-minimum/

it seems that is still the case, as per the IB website just now: https://www.interactivebrokers.co.jp/en ... count-info

1m yen for the Japan account, $10,000 for the international LLC version.

I opened an International LLC account with IB in September 2020. Once it was mostly set up, they encouraged me to fund it with a recommended $10,000 dollars saying that this would take precedence over accounts being funded with less, but I was still able to go ahead and fund the account with half of that without issues. Took a day or two after wiring the money via USJ for me to begin trading.

My experience with IB has been mostly positive, although it's a bit more complicated than I was expecting. Despite the 'Client Portal' being the friendly interface (the other being a trader workstation view), it still needs some time to get to grips with.

I am looking to move some overseas retirement investments to a place that charges less fees. I am looking at IB but since I am not really that interested in trading that much but rather invest and leave it, I am wondering if it is for me. I would be able to put more than $10,000 in the account so that is not an issue. I am not Japanese and not a US citizen either.

Any ideas or advice would be appreciated!