Money

What you'll learn in this guide How to open an SBI Securities account as a foreigner Which index funds to choose for your NISA (eMAXIS Slim explained) How to set up automatic monthly investing (積立NISA) SBI vs Rakuten Securities: which is better for foreigners? The SBI Hybrid Deposit: how to earn 1.0% on your savings alongside investing Quick Answer SBI Securities is Japan’s largest online brokerage and one of the best platforms for foreigners to invest in NISA. Open a regular securities account first, then open NISA within it. The most popular fund for foreigners is eMAXIS Slim 全世界株式 (All-Country World Index) at 0.05774% annual fee — one of the cheapest globally. Monthly automatic investment is set up in 10 minutes. ...

Earning side income in Japan as a foreigner is possible — but your visa type determines what’s allowed, and going outside those limits has serious consequences. Know the rules before you start. Here’s a practical guide to legal side income for foreigners in Japan. First: Check Your Visa This is critical. Working outside your visa’s permitted activities can lead to deportation or visa revocation. Visa Type Side Work Allowed? Work visa (Engineer, Humanities, etc.) Only with 資格外活動許可 (Permission for Activities Outside Status) Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) ✅ Side work permitted without special permission Spouse visa / Dependent visa ✅ Work permitted (may need 資格外活動許可) Permanent Residency ✅ Fully unrestricted Student visa 28 hrs/week max with 資格外活動許可 Working Holiday ✅ Generally unrestricted How to Get 資格外活動許可 (Permission for Outside Activities) Apply at your local immigration office or online via the Immigration Bureau portal. Usually processed in 2–4 weeks. Allows up to 28 hours/week of side work. ...

What you'll learn in this guide What SMBC Trust Prestia is and why it’s the top English-language bank in Japan Who is eligible to open a Prestia account as a foreigner Account types, fees, and minimum balance requirements Foreign currency accounts: how they work and when they’re useful SMBC Prestia vs Japan Post Bank vs Rakuten Bank: honest comparison Quick Answer SMBC Trust Prestia is Japan’s leading English-language bank for foreigners. It offers full English service, foreign currency accounts (USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD), and global ATM access. The main catch: it requires a minimum balance (¥1,000,000 or equivalent) to avoid monthly fees, making it better for mid-to-high income expats than new arrivals. ...

Working in Japan while your company also operates in your home country? You might be paying pension contributions in two countries at once — money that’s largely wasted. Japan’s social security agreements (社会保障協定) fix this. Here’s what they cover and how to use them. What Is a Social Security Agreement? A social security agreement (also called a totalization agreement) is a bilateral treaty between Japan and another country that coordinates pension and social insurance systems. The goals: ...

Japan’s national health insurance covers you domestically — but the moment you leave the country, you’re uninsured unless you have separate travel coverage. For residents who travel regularly, the right travel insurance policy matters. Here’s how to choose one. What Japan’s NHI Covers Abroad Japan’s National Health Insurance does have an overseas claims system (海外療養費) — but it’s limited: You pay upfront for all overseas treatment You then claim a reimbursement back from your Japanese municipality Reimbursement is calculated at Japanese standard rates, not the actual overseas cost You receive roughly 70% of the Japanese equivalent cost — which is often a fraction of what you actually paid Example: A US hospital visit that costs $5,000 might be reimbursed at the equivalent of ¥30,000–50,000 (a few hundred dollars). The gap is entirely your responsibility. ...

What you'll learn in this guide Wise vs Revolut: side-by-side fee and rate comparison for Japan Which is better for sending large amounts internationally Which is better for daily spending in Japan ATM withdrawal comparison in Japan Key limitations of both apps in the Japanese market The verdict: which app to prioritize and when to use both Quick Answer Use Wise for international money transfers (sending money home or receiving foreign income) — it offers the true mid-market rate with transparent fees. Use Revolut for daily multi-currency spending and travel within Asia. For most foreigners in Japan, you want both, but Wise should be your primary tool for moving money internationally. ...

What you'll learn in this guide Exact monthly budgets for Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Sapporo (with real 2025 numbers) How much rent, food, transport, utilities, and taxes actually cost as a foreigner Which city gives you the best value for your lifestyle How Japan compares to the US, UK, and Australia in real purchasing power Practical tips to cut costs without sacrificing quality of life Quick Answer Monthly costs in Tokyo start at ¥165,000 for a single person (rent + food + transport). Osaka is roughly 25% cheaper, Fukuoka around 35% cheaper. Yokohama costs 15–20% less than central Tokyo with a 30-minute commute. Foreigner-specific costs to budget for: visa renewal (¥4,000 every 1–3 years), international transfers (save ¥8,000–15,000 per ¥300,000 with Wise), and imported food (2–3× domestic prices). With the weak yen, Japan is now more affordable than most Western countries for mid-range living. ...

Quick Answer Credit card rejections in Japan are common for foreigners in the first 1–2 years due to zero Japanese credit history. Cards foreigners reliably get approved for: Rakuten Card (easiest), Japan Post Bank Cash+ Visa Debit (not a credit card but works everywhere), SMBC Prestia Debit, and Wise Card (Mastercard, instant issuance). After 1 year in Japan with stable employment, standard credit cards become accessible. Avoid applying for multiple cards simultaneously — each rejection hurts your score. ...

Quick Answer Japanese domestic bank transfers (振込, furikomi) require: bank name, branch name (支店, shiten), account type (普通 = savings), and 7-digit account number. Transfers between same-bank accounts are usually free or low cost. Cross-bank transfers cost ¥110–880 depending on amount and whether done online vs. at a counter. Online banking (especially Rakuten Bank and PayPay Bank) makes transfers free or very cheap. ATM transfers work but cost more. International transfers from Japan require a separate process — use Wise for those. ...

Quick Answer Rakuten’s best setup for foreigners in Japan: (1) Get a Rakuten Card (free, 1% cashback on all purchases, ¥5,000 sign-up bonus, accepted wherever Visa is accepted). (2) Open a Rakuten Bank account linked to the card (0.1% interest rate + ATM fee waivers). (3) Shop on Rakuten Market with the card — stack SPU bonuses to earn 10–16% points. Heavy users report earning ¥100,000–200,000 in points per year. Points are worth ¥1 each and usable across all Rakuten services. ...