Options for US citizens in Japan

[YouMeWeThem]

Do you know of any steady (eMaxis-type) passive world stock funds U.S. citizens can purchase through SBI without getting stressed out by the IRS or milked by tax filing services?

There aren't any. Apparently due to something called a QI agreement any of the Japanese brokers won't be able to sell you US funds. You'll need to open an account with a US brokerage or Interactive Brokers Japan if you want access.

[wsanton]

Many thanks for the discouraging news that U.S. citizens can't take advantage of the new NISA accounts for passive investing. And thanks too for the link to Interactive Brokers Japan.

[Tkydon]

Many thanks for the discouraging news that U.S. citizens can't take advantage of the new NISA accounts for passive investing. And thanks too for the link to Interactive Brokers Japan.

Depending on NISA Provider, you could buy individual Stocks that qualify as non-PFIC in the Growth Portion of NISA.
As far as I am aware the Tsumitate Portion of NISA only provides Mutual Funds, non of which would be PFIC-friendly.