Best Brokers to Buy Japanese Stocks as a Foreigner (2026)

Can Non-Residents Open a Japanese Brokerage Account?

The short answer: for most foreigners living outside Japan, opening a Japanese domestic brokerage account (like SBI Securities or Rakuten Securities) is very difficult — they require Japanese residency and a My Number (national ID).

However, you do NOT need a Japanese broker to invest in Japanese stocks. International brokers provide direct access to the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), often with better platforms and lower currency conversion costs.

This guide covers the best options for non-resident foreigners.

#1 Interactive Brokers (IBKR) — Best Overall

**Available to**: Residents of 200+ countries

**TSE Access**: Direct — buy any TSE-listed stock

**Currency**: Multi-currency account; USD → JPY conversion at ~0.1-0.2 pip (extremely cheap)

**Commission**: USD 1.00 per order (minimum) up to 1% — one of the cheapest available globally

**Platforms**: IBKR desktop, mobile app, web — all in English

**Minimum deposit**: USD 0 (previously $2,000 — removed in 2023)

Interactive Brokers is the gold standard for international investors accessing foreign markets. For Japan specifically, you can buy any of the 225 Nikkei stocks directly on the TSE, pay dividends in JPY that auto-convert, and use the full IBKR platform in English.

**Practical setup**: Open account at interactivebrokers.com → fund in USD (or EUR, GBP) → convert to JPY using IBKR's FX desk → buy Japanese stocks in JPY

**Pros**: Lowest fees, widest access, professional-grade tools, margin trading available

**Cons**: Interface can feel complex for beginners; customer support not always fast

#2 Saxo Bank — Best for Premium Experience

**Available to**: EU, UK, Asia, Middle East, Australia (not US)

**TSE Access**: Direct

**Currency**: Multi-currency, competitive FX rates

**Commission**: From 0.08% + minimum per order (higher than IBKR)

**Platforms**: SaxoTraderGO, SaxoTraderPRO — both excellent and user-friendly

Saxo Bank is ideal for European, Asian, and Middle Eastern investors who want a polished, multi-asset platform. Their Japan coverage is comprehensive, and the platform is more intuitive than IBKR for beginners.

**Pros**: Beautiful interface, good educational content, reliable customer support

**Cons**: Higher commissions than IBKR; not available to US residents

#3 Charles Schwab International / TD Ameritrade — For US Investors (ADRs & ETFs)

**Available to**: US residents

**TSE Access**: No direct access — only US-listed Japanese ADRs and ETFs

**Commission**: $0 for ETF and stock trades

US-based retail investors at Schwab cannot directly buy stocks on the TSE. However, they can buy:

• **ADRs**: Toyota (TM), Sony (SONY), Nintendo (NTDOY), Honda (HMC) etc.

• **ETFs**: EWJ, DXJ, FLJP and other Japan ETFs

For most US-based beginners, starting with Japan ETFs at Schwab is the simplest path. Graduate to Interactive Brokers when you want direct TSE access.

#4 eToro — For Social/Casual Investors

**Available to**: Most countries except US (for stocks)

**TSE Access**: Limited selection via CFDs

**Minimum**: $50

eToro provides access to some Japanese stocks and ETFs via CFDs (Contracts for Difference). This means you do NOT own the actual shares — you are speculating on price movement. CFDs carry additional risks including leverage and overnight fees.

eToro is suitable for casual investors who want a simple interface and social trading features. Not recommended for serious Japan investors due to CFD structure and limited stock selection.

#5 Degiro — For European Budget Investors

**Available to**: EU countries

**TSE Access**: Direct (limited selection)

**Commission**: €1.00 + 0.10% per TSE order

Degiro offers very low-cost access to international markets including Japan. However, their Japanese stock selection may be limited to major names, and some advanced features are absent.

Good option for EU investors on a budget who want low-cost Japan exposure without Saxo's higher minimums.

#6 SBI Securities / Rakuten Securities — For Japan Residents

**Available to**: Japan residents ONLY (requires My Number/residency)

**TSE Access**: Full access, all stocks

**Commission**: Lowest in Japan (near-zero for small orders)

If you live in Japan (any nationality), SBI Securities is arguably the world's best retail brokerage for Japanese stocks — near-zero commissions, comprehensive market data in Japanese, and deep integration with the NISA tax-advantaged account system.

Non-residents cannot open these accounts.

Comparison Table

| Broker | US | EU | Asia | Direct TSE | Commissions |

|--------|----|----|------|------------|-------------|

| Interactive Brokers | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Lowest |

| Saxo Bank | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Medium |

| Charles Schwab | Yes | No | No | No (ADR only) | Zero for ADRs |

| eToro | No | Yes | Some | No (CFD) | Spread-based |

| Degiro | No | Yes | No | Yes (limited) | Low |

| SBI Securities | No | No | No | Yes | Very low |

Account Opening Process (Interactive Brokers)

Opening an IBKR account for international investors typically takes 2–5 business days:

1. Go to interactivebrokers.com and click 'Open Account'

2. Select 'Individual' account type

3. Provide: government ID (passport), proof of address (utility bill or bank statement), tax information (W-9 for US; W-8BEN for non-US)

4. Wait for account verification (1–3 business days)

5. Fund via bank wire in your home currency

6. Convert to JPY via IBKR's Ideal Currency Conversion

7. Start buying Japanese stocks

What Information You Need to Buy Japanese Stocks

Japanese stocks are identified by a 4-digit ticker code (e.g., Toyota = 7203). When buying through an international broker:

• Search by company name OR by ticker with '.T' suffix (e.g., '7203.T' or 'Toyota')

• Select the TSE (Tokyo Stock Exchange) as the exchange

• Note that Japanese stocks trade in lots of 100 shares — check the minimum order value

• Confirm orders during TSE trading hours (9:00–11:30 and 12:30–15:30 JST, weekdays)

Summary: Which Broker Should You Choose?

• **Outside US, serious investor**: Interactive Brokers — best value, full access

• **EU/UK, wants polish**: Saxo Bank — better UX, somewhat higher fees

• **US resident, beginner**: Start with ETFs via Schwab/Fidelity; upgrade to IBKR when ready for direct stocks

• **Japan resident (any nationality)**: SBI Securities — hands down the best domestic option

Opening an international brokerage account has never been easier. Most international investors can get full Tokyo Stock Exchange access within a week through Interactive Brokers.

Disclaimer: This article is informational only. Always check current broker terms and your local regulations before opening financial accounts.