Investment Options
Guide to investment opportunities in Japan
NISA (Nippon Individual Savings Account)
- Tax-Free Investment Account: NISA allows tax-free investments in stocks and mutual funds (NISA Japan: A guide for foreigners.)
- Annual Investment Limit: There is an annual investment limit, and the investments are exempt from taxes for a 5-year period (NISA: Japan’s Tax Exemption Scheme for Investment.)
- New System Starting 2024: The new NISA system, introduced in January 2024, offers expanded benefits, including an indefinite tax-free holding period and increased annual investment limits (NISA: Japan’s Tax Exemption Scheme for Investment.)
iDeCo (Individual Defined Contribution)
- Tax-Advantaged Retirement Investment Account: iDeCo is a private pension plan based on the Defined Contribution Pension Act (What is iDeCo?｜IDeCo official site.)
- Available to All: Both employed and self-employed individuals can enroll in iDeCo (What is iDeCo?｜IDeCo official site.)
- Investment Choices: Participants can choose from a variety of investment options, including stocks, bonds, and insurance products (What is iDeCo?｜IDeCo official site.)
- Tax Benefits: Contributions, investment returns, and benefits are eligible for special tax breaks (What is iDeCo?｜IDeCo official site.)
- Eligibility: Enrollment is open to individuals aged 20 to 65, with benefits starting at age 60 (What is iDeCo?｜IDeCo official site.)
Stock Market Investment
- Major Brokers: Popular brokers include SBI Securities, Rakuten Securities, and SMBC Nikko (15 Best Japan Brokers 2025.)
- Access to Markets: Investors can access both Japanese and international markets (15 Best Japan Brokers 2025.)
- English Interfaces: Some brokers offer English interfaces to cater to international investors (Online brokers & trading platforms in Japan in 2025.)
- Additional Brokers: Other reputable brokers include Interactive Brokers, moomoo, and Webull, which offer low fees and a wide range of products (Best stock brokers in Japan in 2025.)