RetireJapan

I am really tempted to cash in a USD fund at Prestia and swap it over to JPY. The fund has been a bit of a dud, the fees higher than they should be, and with a 15% increase due to currency appreciation, it seems like a good time to get out.

Of course, then I'll have some JPY just sitting around earning nothing.

One thing I am doing is using my US credit cards more (for certain categories) these days. I can earn points and pay relatively low prices. Paying $90 for a Sheraton is a pretty good deal.

Did that in January/February when I sold out of individual stocks. So far it's been about even, but hoping for stronger yen/cheaper stocks in the future

I changed $8000 into about 1 million yen last week, to go towards a regular NISA I'm about to start. 100% Japanese stocks probably. I might change more USD if the rate goes higher, but then not sure what to do with the yen. Solar panels? Property? Got to bear in mind that USD will earn more and more interest as the year goes on.

I made my plan knowing that currency fluctuations were part of the story, and I'm sticking to it: Get paid in yen, put a fixed percent of it into eMaxis Slim All Country every month, don't pretend that I know any better to do otherwise.

If I wanted to do something, I'd probably try to earn some income in USD rather than adjust current investments plans.

northSaver wrote: ↑Sun Apr 17, 2022 2:42 pm I changed $8000 into about 1 million yen last week, to go towards a regular NISA I'm about to start. 100% Japanese stocks probably. I might change more USD if the rate goes higher, but then not sure what to do with the yen. Solar panels? Property? Got to bear in mind that USD will earn more and more interest as the year goes on.

Why didn't you keep the money in USD and invest in American ETFs from Japan?

As far as specific Japanese plays go, if you don't have a strategy you would be better served with a low cost Topix/225 fund.

TJKansai wrote: ↑Sun Apr 17, 2022 3:54 am Anyone buying yen these days?

Hopefully the Bank of Japan will soon! They're sitting on 1.3 trillion in USD reserves and could easily reverse the yen's depreciation. Some say that 130 yen to the dollar would be the trigger. Guess we'll have to wait and see.

northSaver wrote: ↑Sun Apr 17, 2022 2:42 pm I changed $8000 into about 1 million yen last week, to go towards a regular NISA I'm about to start. 100% Japanese stocks probably. I might change more USD if the rate goes higher, but then not sure what to do with the yen. Solar panels? Property? Got to bear in mind that USD will earn more and more interest as the year goes on.

Solar panels are on my list!
Interest rates in USD are still pretty pathetic, still well under 1%, so 100% J stocks are likely. I need to move it from Prestia to SBI first.

Haystack wrote: ↑Sun Apr 17, 2022 10:28 pm Why didn't you keep the money in USD and invest in American ETFs from Japan?

I already have a fair amount of USD-denominated ETFs (VUSD, ICLN, VDTA, TIP5, IGLN, CMDY). The cash is waiting to buy more on further corrections. But I fancy a NISA (wife has one, and we've maxed out our iDeCo), so figured this is a good time to start it.

Haystack wrote: ↑Sun Apr 17, 2022 10:28 pm As far as specific Japanese plays go, if you don't have a strategy you would be better served with a low cost Topix/225 fund.

As mentioned on the other thread, I want to buy 1478 (iShares MSCI Japan High Dividend ETF). If that's not available, either Nikkei 225 index fund or individual high-yield stocks... not decided yet.

TJKansai wrote: ↑Mon Apr 18, 2022 1:25 am Solar panels are on my list!
Interest rates in USD are still pretty pathetic, still well under 1%, so 100% J stocks are likely. I need to move it from Prestia to SBI first.

Yeah, I have one already, kind of a portable camping one, and am very impressed with it. I'd like to install some bigger ones permanently on the roof but it's not south-facing, so that puts me off. I need a quote and some expert advice

Several institutions are predicting 0.5% Fed rate hikes in May, June and July, and a rate of at least 2.5% by the end of the year. Banks/brokers take their cut of course, so still not a great yield. It's just something to bear in mind.

northSaver wrote: ↑Mon Apr 18, 2022 3:06 am

Haystack wrote: ↑Sun Apr 17, 2022 10:28 pm Why didn't you keep the money in USD and invest in American ETFs from Japan?

I already have a fair amount of USD-denominated ETFs (VUSD, ICLN, VDTA, TIP5, IGLN, CMDY). The cash is waiting to buy more on further corrections. But I fancy a NISA (wife has one, and we've maxed out our iDeCo), so figured this is a good time to start it.

Haystack wrote: ↑Sun Apr 17, 2022 10:28 pm As far as specific Japanese plays go, if you don't have a strategy you would be better served with a low cost Topix/225 fund.

As mentioned on the other thread, I want to buy 1478 (iShares MSCI Japan High Dividend ETF). If that's not available, either Nikkei 225 index fund or individual high-yield stocks... not decided yet.

You'll want to avoid dividend stocks in an Nisa though, and go with accumulating funds ideally.

You don't want to want to poke holes in the bucket...