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Best Forex Brokers in Japan for 2024

Written by Naylyan Nazifova
Naylyan Nazifova is a recognised expert in the online trading field. She has many publications and analysis covering forex trading, stock investing and personal finance. 
, | Updated: December 2, 2024

To say that forex trading is popular in Japan would be an understatement, seeing as the country is home to a multitude of retail traders, and the Japanese Yen is among the most traded currencies in the entire international global market. In terms of regulation, the entity tasked with licensing and monitoring forex brokers seeking to cater to a Japanese audience is the Japanese Financial Services Agency (JFSA).

1Global Prime
Rating: 4.5 ⭐
74-89% of retail CFD accounts lose money
Top Rated
2Forex.com
Rating: 4.5 ⭐
77.7% of retail investor accounts lose money
3IC Markets
Rating: 4.5 ⭐
70.64% of retail investor accounts lose money
4AvaTrade
Rating: 4.4 ⭐
76% of retail investor accounts lose money
5Capital.com
Rating: 4.3 ⭐
75% of retail investor accounts lose money
6Eightcap
Rating: 4.2 ⭐
76.09% of retail investor accounts lose money
7FxPro
Rating: 4.0 ⭐
74% of retail investor accounts lose money
8Libertex
Rating: 4.0 ⭐
74.91% of retail investor accounts lose money
9XM Group
Rating: 2.9 ⭐
72.82% of retail investor accounts lose money
10Iron FX
Rating: N/A ⭐
67.62% of retail investor accounts lose money

Japanese Forex Brokers Ranked by Trustpilot Score

Japanese Forex Brokers Ranked by Spread Commission

Forex BrokerEURUSDUSDJPYEURGBPGBPUSD
1. Libertex0.10.30.30.4
2. Global Prime0.130.280.281.11
3. FxPro0.250.38
  • 0.1 (MT4)
  • 1.3 (MT5)
0.37
4. Capital.com0.61021.3
5. Iron FX0.70.40.90.8
6. IC Markets 0.80.8
  • 0.00 (Raw)
  • 1.00 (Standard)
0.8
7. XM Group0.80.91.50.9
8. AvaTrade0.91.31.21.3
9. Eightcap1.00 (min)1.111
10. Forex.com11.21.31.3

Japanese Forex Brokers Ranked by Commission per Lot

Forex BrokerCommission per lot
1. Forex.com$0 for Standard accounts; $5 per standard lot per side for Raw accounts
2. Iron FX$0
3. Capital.com$0
4. Eightcap$0 on Standard and TradingView Accounts; $7 round turn on Raw Accounts
5. AvaTrade$0
6. Libertex$0
7. Global Prime$0 Standard Accounts; $7 round turn on Raw Accounts
8. XM Group$0 Ultra Low Micro and Ultra Low Standard Accounts; $3.50 per side XM Zero Account
9. IC Markets $0 Standard MT; $6 round turn on Raw cTrader; $7 round turn on Raw MT
10. FxPro$0 on Standard Account; $3.5 per side on Raw+ and Elite Accounts

Important Note: While obtaining a JFSA license is by no means an easy task, an impressive number of brokers have managed to achieve just that. Japanese traders can, therefore, pick between quite a lot of forex brokers and go with the ones that fit their individual preferences best. Of course, this can be difficult for indecisive traders or those who are new to the forex market. If you are one such individual, we encourage you to continue reading, seeing as our team has thoroughly examined a range of forex brokers to determine which best cater to traders in Japan.

Top 10 FX Brokers in Japan

  1. TRADE NOW 74-89% of retail CFD accounts lose money

    Global Prime Broker Details
    Supports JapaneseNo
    Japanese Currency (JPY)Yes
    RegulatorsASIC (No. 385620), VFSC (No. 40256)
    Min Deposit$0
    Trading PlatformsMT4 Desktop, MT4 Webtrader, MT4 Android
    Trustpilot Rating4.5 out of 161 reviews
    Number of CFD Forex Pairs to Trade56
    LeverageForex & Metals CFDs: 1:500 (1:30 for ASIC entity)
    Index CFDs: 1:100 (1:20 for ASIC entity)
    Cryptocurrencie CFDs: Up to 1:2 (ASIC); Up to 1:5 (Pro and VFSC)
    SpreadEURUSD: 0.13
    USDJPY: 0.28
    EURGBP: 0.28
    GBPUSD: 1.11
    Forex Commission per Lot per Trade$0 Standard Accounts; $7 round turn on Raw Accounts
    Deposit MethodsVisa, Mastercard, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Gate8, Dragonpay, Fasapay, VNPay, Pagsmile, BPay, POLi, AstroPay, Bank Transfer, Interac, Perfect Money, PayID, Jeton, MiFinity, XPay, Crypto
    Withdrawal Methods

    Mastercard, Visa, Local Bank Transfer, Bank Wire Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, AstroPay, PayPal, Dragonpay, Perfect Money, Jeton, Interac, Cryptocurrencies

    Key Pros

    • Overseen by a top-tier financial regulator (ASIC)
    • No fees on deposits and withdrawals
    • Low fees for FX trading
    • Streamlined sign-up process
    • A broad range of currency pairs

    Key Cons

    • Could use more trading platforms
    • A limited range of educational resources
    • Does not offer Islamic or cent accounts
  2. TRADE NOW 72.82% of retail investor accounts lose money

    XM Group Broker Details
    Supports JapaneseNo
    Japanese Currency (JPY)Yes (XM Zero Accounts)
    Regulators(ASIC) (ref. No. 443670), FSC (license no. 000261/397), DFSA (ref. no. F003484), CySEC (license no. 120/10), CFTC; Registrations for EU passporting: - BaFin, CNMV, MNB, CONSOB, ACPR, FIN-FSA (Finland), KNF, AFM, FSA (Sweden)
    Min Deposit$5
    Trading PlatformsMetaTrader 4 and 5, MetaTrader 4 and 5 on mobile, MT4 WebTrader, MT5 WebTrader, MT4 Multiterminal
    Trustpilot Rating2.9 out of 956 reviews
    Number of CFD Forex Pairs to Trade50+
    LeverageForex & Metals CFDs: 1:30
    Index CFDs: 1:20
    Cryptocurrencie CFDs: 1:2
    SpreadEURUSD: 0.8
    USDJPY: 0.9
    EURGBP: 1.5
    GBPUSD: 0.9
    Forex Commission per Lot per Trade$0 Ultra Low Micro and Ultra Low Standard Accounts; $3.50 per side XM Zero Account
    Deposit MethodsVisa, Mastercard. Skrill, Bank Transfer, Neteller, Apple Pay, Google Pay, UnionPay, Maestro
    Withdrawal MethodsVisa, Mastercard, China Union Pay, Skrill, Neteller, Bank Transfer

    Key Pros

    • Traders can choose from over 10 platforms
    • Covers a great number of currency pairs
    • Regulated by major authorities
    • Offers smooth trading on the go
    • Supports different account types with tight spreads and low fees

    Key Cons

    • Trading platform’s design seems outdated
    • Not listed on stock exchange
    • Charges an inactivity fee
  3. TRADE NOW 77.7% of retail investor accounts lose money

    Forex.com Broker Details
    Supports JapaneseYes
    Japanese Currency (JPY)Yes
    RegulatorsASIC, MAS, FCA, CIRO, JFSA, CFTC, CySEC, CIMA, SFC, CySEC
    Min Deposit$100
    Trading PlatformsMetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, WebTrader, NinjaTrader
    Trustpilot Rating4.5 out of 1,668 reviews
    Number of CFD Forex Pairs to Trade80+
    LeverageForex & Metals CFDs: 1:30
    Index CFDs: 1:20
    Cryptocurrencie CFDs: 1:2
    SpreadEURUSD: 1
    USDJPY: 1.2
    EURGBP: 1.3
    GBPUSD: 1.3
    Forex Commission per Lot per Trade$0 for Standard accounts; $5 per standard lot per side for Raw accounts
    Deposit MethodsVisa, Mastercard, Skrill, Neteller, Bank Transfer
    Withdrawal MethodsVisa, Mastercard, Skrill, Neteller, Bank Transfer

    Key Pros

    • Supports a great selection of trading platforms
    • Enables easy mobile trading
    • Offers over 80 currency pairs
    • Provides a vast variety of products
    • Forex spreads can be very competitive

    Key Cons

    • Navigating platforms can be difficult for beginners
    • Instruments on MT4 platforms are significantly fewer than other platforms
    • Charges monthly fee after 12 months of inactivity
  4. TRADE NOW 67.62% of retail investor accounts lose money

    Iron FX Broker Details
    Supports JapaneseYes
    Japanese Currency (JPY)Yes
    RegulatorsFCA (licensing no. 585561), FSCA (licensing no. 45276)
    Min Deposit$100
    Trading PlatformsMetaTrader 4, WebTrader, VPS, PMAM, TradeCopier, Mobile App
    Trustpilot RatingN/A out of N/A reviews
    Number of CFD Forex Pairs to Trade80+
    LeverageForex & Metals CFDs: 1:30
    Index CFDs: 1:20
    Cryptocurrencie CFDs: 1:2
    SpreadEURUSD: 0.7
    USDJPY: 0.4
    EURGBP: 0.9
    GBPUSD: 0.8
    Forex Commission per Lot per Trade$0
    Deposit MethodsVisa, Mastercard, Bank Wire, Skrill, Neteller, China Union Pay, Fasapay, Perfect Money, Bitwallet, Paysafecard
    Withdrawal MethodsBank Wire

    Key Pros

    • Offers a wide selection of trading instruments
    • Supports several popular trading platforms
    • Enables easy trading on the go via dedicated app
    • Supports various deposit methods
    • Traders can choose from 7 different account types

    Key Cons

    • Bahamas entity operates with no license
    • Trustpilot score not available due to many fake review detected
    • Withdrawals are possible only via bank wire
  5. TRADE NOW 70.64% of retail investor accounts lose money

    IC Markets Broker Details
    Supports JapaneseNo
    Japanese Currency (JPY)Yes
    RegulatorsFSA (Seychelles), CySEC, ASIC
    Min Deposit$200
    Trading PlatformsMetaTrader4, MetaTrader5, cTrader, ZuluTrade
    Trustpilot Rating4.5 out of 39,709 reviews
    Number of CFD Forex Pairs to Trade61
    LeverageForex & Metals CFDs: 1:30
    Index CFDs: 1:20
    Cryptocurrencie CFDs: Up to 1:2 (Retail); Up to 1:5 (Pro)
    SpreadEURUSD: 0.8
    USDJPY: 0.8
    EURGBP:
    • 0.00 (Raw)
    • 1.00 (Standard)

    GBPUSD: 0.8
    Forex Commission per Lot per Trade$0 Standard MT; $6 round turn on Raw cTrader; $7 round turn on Raw MT
    Deposit MethodsBank transfer, Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Visa Direct, SafeCharge, Transact365, eCommPay, CardPay, Bpay, FasaPay, Poli, RapidPay, Klarna, Nuvei
    Withdrawal MethodsBank transfer, Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Visa Direct, SafeCharge, Transact365, eCommPay, FasaPay, Poli, RapidPay, Klarna

    Key Pros

    • Offers a large number of forex pairs to trade
    • Great for forex traders due to low spreads
    • Supports all industry-standard trading platforms
    • Supports a wide range of payment solutions
    • Low forex trading commission

    Key Cons

    • Non-EU customers have no investor protection
    • Not listed on stock exchange
    • List of products can be further expanded
  6. TRADE NOW 75% of retail investor accounts lose money

    Capital.com Broker Details
    Supports JapaneseNo
    Japanese Currency (JPY)No
    RegulatorsASIC, FCA, CySEC, SCB, SCA (UAE)
    Min Deposit$20
    Trading PlatformsMetaTrader 4, TradingView
    Trustpilot Rating4.3 out of 11,249 reviews
    Number of CFD Forex Pairs to Trade125+
    LeverageForex & Metals CFDs: 1:30
    Index CFDs: 1:20
    Cryptocurrencie CFDs: 1:2
    SpreadEURUSD: 0.6
    USDJPY: 10
    EURGBP: 2
    GBPUSD: 1.3
    Forex Commission per Lot per Trade$0
    Deposit MethodsBank transfers, VISA, MasterCard, Maestro, Apple Pay, PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, Sofort, Przelewy, TrueLayer, iDEAL, Trustly, SPEI, Volt, Lean
    Withdrawal MethodsBank transfers, bank cards, Apple Pay, PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, Sofort, Trustly

    Key Pros

    • Trusted by 580K+ traders across the globe
    • Trading guides for beginner, intermediate, and advanced traders
    • Mobile apps for Android and iOS devices
    • Low FX fees built into the spread
    • Negative balance protection

    Key Cons

    • There is an inactivity fee after 1 year
    • No two-step login
    • No price alerts on the web platform
  7. TRADE NOW 76.09% of retail investor accounts lose money

    Eightcap Broker Details
    Supports JapaneseNo
    Japanese Currency (JPY)No
    RegulatorsSCB (No. SIA-F220), ASIC (No.391441), CySEC (No. 246/14), FCA (No. 921296)
    Min Deposit$100
    Trading PlatformsMT4, MT5, WebTrader, TradingView, Capitalise.ai, FlashTrader
    Trustpilot Rating4.2 out of 2,668 reviews
    Number of CFD Forex Pairs to Trade50+
    LeverageForex & Metals CFDs: 1:30
    Index CFDs: 1:20
    Cryptocurrencie CFDs: 1:2
    SpreadEURUSD: 1.00 (min)
    USDJPY: 1.1
    EURGBP: 1
    GBPUSD: 1
    Forex Commission per Lot per Trade$0 on Standard and TradingView Accounts; $7 round turn on Raw Accounts
    Deposit MethodsVisa, PayPal, Mastercard, Wire Transfer, Neteller, Skrill, Tether, Bitcoin, BPAY, Dragonpay, Fasapay, Interac, Pix, UnionPay
    Withdrawal MethodsMastercard, Visa, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Bitcoin, Tether, Wire Transfers, BPAY, Fasapay, Pix, Interac, UnionPay

    Key Pros

    • Commission-free FX trading via standard accounts
    • Spreads from 0 pips on major currency pairs
    • Accepts cryptocurrency deposits
    • Fantastic variety of deposit and withdrawal methods
    • Insights section with webinars, trade ideas, and weekly forecasts

    Key Cons

    • Below-average range of tradable instruments
    • Crypto withdrawals incur transaction fees
  8. TRADE NOW 74% of retail investor accounts lose money

    FxPro Broker Details
    Supports JapaneseYes
    Japanese Currency (JPY)Yes
    RegulatorsFCA (No. 45052), CySEC (No. 078/07), SCB (No. SIA-F184), FSCA (No.45052)
    Min Deposit$100
    Trading PlatformsMT4, MT5, cTrader, FxPro Edge (proprietary)
    Trustpilot Rating4.0 out of 434 reviews
    Number of CFD Forex Pairs to Trade70+
    LeverageForex & Metals CFDs: 1:30
    Index CFDs: 1:20
    Cryptocurrencie CFDs: 1:2
    SpreadEURUSD: 0.25
    USDJPY: 0.38
    EURGBP:
    • 0.1 (MT4)
    • 1.3 (MT5)

    GBPUSD: 0.37
    Forex Commission per Lot per Trade$0 on Standard Account; $3.5 per side on Raw+ and Elite Accounts
    Deposit MethodsVisa, Mastercard, Maestro, Bank Transfer, Neteller, PayPal, Skrill, Union Pay
    Withdrawal MethodsBank Transfer, Mastercard, Visa, Union Pay, Maestro, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller

    Key Pros

    • Over 2,100 CFDs across six asset classes
    • Zero fees on deposits and withdrawals
    • Floating spreads with no commissions on MT4 FX trades
    • Winner of over 100 industry awards
    • Fills orders within less than 13 milliseconds

    Key Cons

    • FX spreads are slightly higher than industry averages
    • Charges maintenance fees after six months of inactivity
  9. TRADE NOW 76% of retail investor accounts lose money

    AvaTrade Broker Details
    Supports JapaneseYes
    Japanese Currency (JPY)Yes
    RegulatorsFFAJ (License No.1574),CySEC (No. 347/17) ISA (No. 514666577), IIROC, ADGM / FSRA (No.190018), CBI (No.C53877), BVIFSC (No. SIBA/L/13/1049), FSCA(No.45984), ASIC (No.406684), JFSA (No. 1662)
    Min Deposit$100
    Trading PlatformsMetaTrader4, MetaTrader5, WebTrader, AvaTadeGO, AvaSocial, AvaOptions, DupliTrade
    Trustpilot Rating4.4 out of 8,855 reviews
    Number of CFD Forex Pairs to Trade53
    LeverageForex & Metals CFDs: 1:30
    Index CFDs: 1:20
    Cryptocurrencie CFDs: 1:2 for EU residents 1:25 for non-EU residents
    SpreadEURUSD: 0.9
    USDJPY: 1.3
    EURGBP: 1.2
    GBPUSD: 1.3
    Forex Commission per Lot per Trade$0
    Deposit MethodsVisa, Mastercard, Skrill, WebMoney, Neteller, bank wire
    Withdrawal MethodsVisa, Mastercard, Skrill, WebMoney, Neteller, bank wire

    Key Pros

    • Regulated by 9 jurisdictions in 6 continents
    • Offers various trading platforms suitable for beginners and expert traders
    • Enables smooth mobile forex trading via dedicated app
    • Offers 55 forex options and numerous CFDs
    • Easy copy trading via the AvaSocial platform

    Key Cons

    • Retail account pricing trails behind top brokers’ offerings
    • Desktop platform may seem a tad outdated
    • Many payment solutions are country-specific
  10. TRADE NOW 74.91% of retail investor accounts lose money

    Libertex Broker Details
    Supports JapaneseNo
    Japanese Currency (JPY)No
    RegulatorsCySEC (CIF Licence number 164/12), BaFin (BaFin ID: 10161686 / Bak No.: 161686)
    Min Deposit$10
    Trading PlatformsLibretex Trading Platform, MT4, MT5
    Trustpilot Rating4.0 out of 9,456 reviews
    Number of CFD Forex Pairs to Trade50+
    LeverageForex & Metals CFDs: 1:30
    Index CFDs: 1:20
    Cryptocurrencie CFDs: 1:2
    SpreadEURUSD: 0.1
    USDJPY: 0.3
    EURGBP: 0.3
    GBPUSD: 0.4
    Forex Commission per Lot per Trade$0
    Deposit MethodsPayPal, Visa, Mastercard, Sofort, iDeal, Trustly, Skrill, Giropay, Sepa International Bank Wire, Multibanco, P24, BLIK, Eps, Neteller
    Withdrawal MethodsSEPA International Bank Wire, PayPal, Visa Mastercard, Skrill, Neteller

    Key Pros

    • Great variety in terms of markets
    • Users have a range of deposit and cashout solutions to pick from
    • Available in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and other languages
    • Negative balance protection
    • Traders can contact the customer support staff via live chat

    Key Cons

    • No longer available for UK traders
    • Does not accept traders from the US
    • Somewhat lacking in terms of educational resources

Aspiring traders who live in Japan will be pleased to learn that forex trading is both legal and thoroughly regulated. As established, it is the JFSA that governs this corner of Japanese finance, and this entity can issue licenses to both local and offshore forex brokers. Companies not authorized by the JFSA cannot target Japanese clients legally, and obtaining a license is a lengthy process during which a broker is thoroughly vetted to ensure that it meets the requirements of the regulator. This has created a secure and well-regulated environment for Japanese traders.

We can also assure Japan-based forex enthusiasts that quite a few brokers have been successful in meeting all of the requirements of the JFSA and obtaining a license. Thus, traders are not stuck with having just a few legitimate options to pick from.

Japanese Financial Services Agency (JFSA) Regulation Info

The Financial Services Agency (JFSA) of Japan has been around for over two decades, having been established in 2000 when the Financial Supervisory Agency and the Financial System Planning Bureau merged. The JFSA comprises a number of organizations, and this includes the Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission (SESC). As for the JFSA’s duties, it regularly monitors licensees for their continued compliance with Japanese laws, and it has the authority to take action against companies that do not adhere to the rules.

Due to the tight control the JFSA has over Japan’s financial sphere, Japan has been given the designation of a Tier 1 jurisdiction alongside the UK, Germany, and other regions with excellent regulatory oversight.

How Can I Verify JFSA Authorization?

Once you have come across a broker that you believe is worth trying, it is crucial to make sure that it is licensed by the Japanese Financial Services Agency (JFSA). Brokers tend to provide their licensing information on the homepage, specifically in the footer section. On the off-chance a broker has not included its licensing credentials there, you can try looking in the FAQ page or ask the customer service team. As most JFSA-licensed brokers give their clients the option to contact support via live chat, going this route will not take long.

If you do not trust the information provided by a given broker, or you would like to have the peace of mind of being sure that the JFSA has definitely given the company its seal of approval, you can consult the regulator’s register of licensed entities. The list includes each company’s JCN (Japan Corporate Number), address, phone number, and clarification regarding the type of business it operates.

Are My Funds Safe with Forex Brokers in Japan?

Japan’s Financial Services Agency is known for its robust rules and a licensing process that can be difficult for a forex broker to undergo. This, however, is to traders’ benefit, as it ensures that those who decide to trade at a JFSA-licensed broker can trust that they will not become the victim of a fraudulent company or a broker that does not have its clients’ best interest in mind. As for what requirements are related to the safeguarding of client money, among the most crucial is the one mandating that companies segregate client funds away from the broker’s own money. In addition, should a forex broker become insolvent, the Japanese Investor Protection Fund will ensure that traders are compensated as mandated by JFSA rules.

We should mention that the leverage offered by Japan-friendly brokers cannot exceed 25:1, which is a limit that no other jurisdiction imposes. While many traders will not be pleased with this rule, it does mean that clients are prevented from using excessive leverage that can result in notable losses. It might even be a blessing in disguise, given the JFSA’s stance on negative balance protection, which you can read more about in the following section.

Do Japanese Brokers Provide Negative Balance Protection?

Negative balance protection is often seen as one of the most important safeguards forex brokers can offer to their clients. A number of events in the past have shown just how dangerous a negative balance can be for retail traders, the most notable of which happened in 2015 when the Swiss Franc’s peg to the Euro was scrapped. As a result, many traders incurred massive losses due to their balances going in the negative. Had they been able to use negative balance protection, the event would have been far less harmful to retail traders than it ended up being. This is one of the main reasons behind the European Securities and Markets Authority’s decision to make it mandatory for negative balance protection to be offered to retail users.

Given the above context, you will be surprised to find out that in Japan, retail traders do not have access to negative balance protection. However, this is not a problem stemming from brokers wishing to avoid offering negative balance protection. Instead, this issue is a matter of Japan’s financial regulator explicitly forbidding reputable brokers from providing negative balance protection to traders. Japan-based traders have voiced their disapproval of this decision, with some arguing the JFSA should lift the ban. At the time of writing, however, the situation remains unchanged.

Do you pay tax on forex trading in Japan?

If you aspire to become a forex trader in Japan, you will need to become familiar with how profits gained from partaking in the foreign exchange market are taxed. The said profits are categorized under “miscellaneous income,” with forex gains being subject to a capital gains tax rate of 20.315%.

As taxation laws are often subject to amendments, it is best to keep up-to-date on the matter. You can do so by visiting the JFSA’s website or consulting with a local tax advisor.

How Does the Leverage of JFSA-Regulated Brokers Compare to the Leverage at Brokers Regulated Offshore?

At present, Japan is known for having the tightest forex leverage limits when compared to any other financial jurisdiction. Japanese participants in the forex market can utilize a leverage of 1:25 at most, as forex brokers operating within the country are not permitted to offer anything above this threshold.

This is a small yet notable difference when compared to the limits of Europe and the UK, seeing as the rules of both the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) and the British Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) dictate that retail traders have access to a maximum leverage of 1:30 on major forex pairs. What is more, Japan’s leverage cap is substantially lower than the US and Poland. The former’s financial watchdog allows forex brokers to offer a leverage of up to 1:50, twice the limit of Japan, while experienced retail traders in Poland may take advantage of a 1:100 leverage if they wish.

What Trading Platforms Are Available to Japanese Traders?

Variety is a major perk of Japan’s forex trading sphere when it comes to the platforms local traders can utilize. Having access to the platforms developed by MetaQuotes, in particular, is almost a given, with both the fourth and the fifth MetaTrader iterations typically being offered to Japanese users.

Of course, there are also brokers that have moved away from MT, opting to instead offer cTrader or other more recently released platforms that have gained a foothold in the global forex trading scene. You may also run into brokers that, as opposed to relying on third-party platforms, have decided to develop their own exclusive software.

As for the differences between platforms, with MT4 and MT5, for example, it is a matter of additional features (like an economic calendar) and a larger number of technical indicators, among other perks that MT5 offers over its predecessor.

For many traders, a broker not supporting their favorite platform can be a deal-breaker, which is why it is always crucial to check what software a broker supports before one decides to go through the trouble of registering and undergoing standard KYC procedures.

We should also stress that making sure that a forex broker’s platforms are compatible with smartphones is also very important. The chances of coming across a broker that is not mobile-friendly are relatively slim, but better safe than sorry, especially if you are absolutely adamant about having access to your forex account while you are on the go.


If you have questions about your trading experience or wish to find more about the regulatory framework in Japan’s forex market, you can resort to the sources we have listed below:

  1. Japanese Financial Services Agency (JFSA): This is the official regulatory body issuing licenses to entities that wish to offer forex trading services to investors in Japan.
  2. To confirm whether a forex broker has been authorized to operate by the JFSA, you can check the regulator’s official registry of licensed Financial instruments business operators here.
  3. If Japanese traders need help with an issue they are experiencing while trading with a JFSA-regulated forex broker, they can contact the Financial Instruments Mediation Assistance Center (FINMAC).
  4. Any reputable forex broker licensed by the JFSA is also registered with the Financial Futures Association of Japan (FFAJ), which is an organization that provides additional educational materials and help to investors trading forex pairs and other assets provided by Japanese brokers.
Written by N. Nazifova