RetireJapan

Hi everyone,

I live in Japan, but do not read kanji (and I won't), and don't want to have misunderstanding trouble, when trading.
So I wonder whether I can find a broker with English interface, in Japan? If they spoke English that would be even better, but not necessary. Just the ability to trade in English.
Phone app will work too (I have Android). I heard Monex has English app for iPhone.
If there was some foreign broker who would open accounts for Japan residents that would be great too. I do not care about Nisa etc., at the moment. And yes I know of Interactive Brokers, they're great but I need something except them.
I am going to buy Japanese ETFs that are listed on TSE, only. So I need the broker to accept yen on its account, too.

So, to make it short - something similar to IB. Or Japanese, but with English interface.

Thanks!!!

Don't know of any domestic brokers that work in English. IB has a Japanese branch that only does Japan-listed investments.

Learning to read Japanese is one of the best investments IF you are planning to stay here.

Thanks for reply!

I don't plan to stay in Japan for long, but I will for some years. Wouldn't like stay in cash, all that time.

I do need Japan-listed investment (particularly ETF), and yes I know about IB but need other option.
No other foreign broker accepts customers from Japan? Wow...

In worst case, even phone apps would do, like mentioned Monex (just not sure if they have Android support).

Any ideas?..

I use Monex, and while I think their UI is the best of the bunch, with a great app as well, it's all in Japanese. I'm on Android, so I'm not 100% sure about the iPhone as I don't use one, but I think it's very unlikely that they would offer English-language support just for iPhone users.

HeavyMetal wrote: ↑Fri Mar 20, 2020 9:41 am No other foreign broker accepts customers from Japan? Wow...

You could try brokers in Singapore (DBS, OCBC). They used to take Japanese residents, not sure if they do any more. You'll probably have to go there to open an account too...

Thanks!

Yes DBS Vickers seem to accepts customers still, and yes need to go there to open an account with them. Not sure if they would open it though, since I have no relation to Singapore.

Still hope to find some local or online-only option...

If it takes you say 5 years to finally get yourself sorted, it would be faster to just learn enough Japanese to get by. And that would have huge knock-on effects for your lifestyle in other areas too.

adamu wrote: ↑Sun Mar 22, 2020 4:57 am If it takes you say 5 years to finally get yourself sorted, it would be faster to just learn enough Japanese to get by. And that would have huge knock-on effects for your lifestyle in other areas too.

In his defense, I've been here for a decade, took Japanese lessons (in Japan, full time) for a year, speak 100% Japanese with my wife, have worked in the past for a Japanese company where all communication was in Japanese, and have generally no problem with daily-life interactions in Japanese (stores, restaurants, neighbors, in-laws...). But put me in front of a JP-only interface to manage something as important as my money, and I panic. It takes me hours to do things that would take me minutes when the interface is in English. I get so frustrated I want to smash the screen.
Google translate has helped a lot with this recently, though.

StockBeard wrote: ↑Mon Mar 23, 2020 4:07 am But put me in front of a JP-only interface to manage something as important as my money, and I panic. It takes me hours to do things that would take me minutes when the interface is in English.

Browser extensions such as Yomichan are great for this. Hover over the word and it tells you the pronunciation and English translation.

Maybe try Saxo Bank? I think they accept accounts from Japan.
They ETFs available on lots of exchanges, but are not based in Japan however. Think they are Danish.