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Best Day Trading Platforms and Brokers in Japan 2024

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Written By
Jemma Grist
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Written By
Jemma Grist
Jemma is a writer, editor and fact-checker focused on retail trading and investing. Jemma brings a unique perspective to the forex, stock, and cryptocurrency markets and works across several investment websites as a researcher and broker analyst.
» Jemma Grist Profile Page
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Edited By
James Barra
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Edited By
James Barra
James is an investment writer with a background in financial services. As a former management consultant, he has worked on major operational transformation programmes at prominent European banks. James authors, edits and fact-checks content for a series of investing websites.
» James Barra Profile Page
Updated
Oct 4, 2024

To day trade key markets like stocks listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) or currency pairs involving the Japanese yen (JPY), such as USD/JPY, you will need to register with an online broker.

The Japanese Financial Services Agency (FSA) regulates local brokers, though residents can also sign up with trusted international day trading platforms (though Japanese tax rules still apply).

We’ve listed the best day trading brokers in Japan following exhaustive tests. Many of these platforms tailor their services to active Japanese traders, offering domestic assets, JPY accounts, and convenient payment methods like the Tokyo-based JCB Card.

Top 10 Platforms For Day Trading In Japan

Following our hands-on assessments, these 10 platforms are the standout options for Japanese day traders:

Click a broker for details
  1. 1
    AvaTrade
    20% Welcome Bonus up to $10,000
    Ratings
    4.8 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4 / 5
    $100
    0.01 Lots
    1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro)
    ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, ISA, CBI, FSA, FSRA, BVI, ADGM, CIRO, AFM
    CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Bonds, Crypto, Spread Betting, Futures
    WebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, AvaFutures, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingCentral, DupliTrade
    Skrill, Wire Transfer, FasaPay, Mastercard, Perfect Money, Swift, MoneyGram, Credit Card, WebMoney, JCB Card, Debit Card, Neteller, Boleto
    USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD
    Go To AvaTrade
  2. 2
    IC Markets
    Ratings
    4.6 / 5
    4 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    4.6 / 5
    4 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    4 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    3.1 / 5
    4.2 / 5
    $200
    0.01 Lots
    1:30 (ASIC & CySEC), 1:500 (FSA), 1:1000 (Global)
    ASIC, CySEC, FSA, CMA
    CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, Futures, Crypto
    MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade
    PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Visa, UnionPay, Wire Transfer, Rapid Transfer, Mastercard, POLi, BPAY, Credit Card, Klarna, Swift, SafeCharge
    USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD
    Go To IC Markets
  3. 3
    Deriv
    Ratings
    3.5 / 5
    4 / 5
    4.8 / 5
    3.3 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    2.5 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    4.2 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    $5
    0.01 Lots
    1:1000
    MFSA, LFSA, BVIFSC, VFSC, FSC, SVGFSA
    CFDs, Multipliers, Accumulators, Synthetic Indices, Forex, Stocks, Options, Commodities, ETFs
    Deriv Trader, Deriv X, Deriv Go, MT5, cTrader, TradingView
    Neteller, Visa, Skrill, WebMoney, FasaPay, Perfect Money, Diners Club, Banxa, Paytrust, Wire Transfer, Mastercard, Credit Card, JCB Card, Sticpay, Trustly, Volet, Paysafecard, AstroPay, Maestro, Airtm, Boleto, JetonCash, Przelewy24, Bitcoin Payments
    USD, EUR, GBP
    Go To Deriv
  4. 4
    IC Trading
    Ratings
    2.8 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    3 / 5
    4 / 5
    4 / 5
    2.8 / 5
    3 / 5
    2.2 / 5
    4.8 / 5
    4.6 / 5
    $200
    0.01 Lots
    1:500
    FSC
    CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, Cryptos, Futures
    MT4, MT5, cTrader, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
    PayPal, Neteller, Mastercard, Visa, Wire Transfer, Debit Card, Credit Card
    USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD
    Go To IC Trading
  5. 5
    Exness
    Ratings
    3.8 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    1.5 / 5
    4.4 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    $10
    0.01 Lots
    1:Unlimited
    CySEC, FCA, FSCA, CMA, FSA, CBCS, BVIFSC, FSC
    CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto
    Exness Trade App, Exness Terminal, MT4, MT5, TradingCentral
    Wire Transfer, Credit Card, Visa, Mastercard, Bitcoin Payments, Boleto, Airtel, Debit Card, Neteller, Skrill, Perfect Money, Sticpay, AstroPay, Cashu, FasaPay, WebMoney, M-Pesa
    USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, INR, JPY, ZAR, MYR, IDR, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD, AED, SAR, HUF, BRL, NGN, THB, VND, UAH, KWD, QAR, KRW, MXN, KES, CNY
    Go To Exness
  6. 6
    XM
    $30 No Deposit Bonus When You Register A Real Account
    Ratings
    3.8 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    3.3 / 5
    4 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.7 / 5
    3.9 / 5
    $5
    0.01 Lots
    1:1000
    ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, IFSC
    CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Commodities, Indices, Thematic Indices, Precious Metals, Energies
    MT4, MT5, TradingCentral
    Credit Card, Debit Card, Skrill, Neteller, Wire Transfer, Perfect Money, Apple Pay, Google Wallet, TransferWise, Visa, M-Pesa
    USD, EUR, GBP, JPY
    Go To XM
  7. 7
    FOREX.com
    20% Welcome Bonus Up To $5000
    Ratings
    4.9 / 5
    4 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.6 / 5
    4.6 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.8 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    3.6 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    $100
    0.01 Lots
    1:400
    NFA, CFTC, CIRO, FCA, CYSEC, ASIC, SFC, FSA, MAS, CIMA
    Forex, CFDs, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Futures, Options, Crypto
    MT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
    Wire Transfer, Credit Card, Debit Card, Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, Neteller, ACH Transfer
    USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, PLN
    Go To FOREX.com
  8. 8
    InstaForex
    Choose between: Club Bonus, 30 %, 55 % and 100 % bonuses
    All investments involve a degree of risk of some kind. Trading financial derivative products comes with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You should not engage in trading these instruments unless you fully understand the nature of the transactions you are entering into, and the true extent of your exposure. These types of investments may be suitable for some investors, but they are not for everyone.
    Ratings
    4 / 5
    3.9 / 5
    4.2 / 5
    4 / 5
    3.9 / 5
    3.7 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    3.6 / 5
    3.6 / 5
    3.6 / 5
    $1
    0.10 of the lot (0.0001 of market lot for Cent.Standard and Cent.Eurica)
    1:1000
    BVI FSC
    Currencies, Cryptocurrencies, Stocks, Indices, Metals, Oil and Gas, Commodity Futures and InstaFutures
    MT4, MT5
    Skrill, Mastercard, Visa, Neteller, Wire Transfer, Przelewy24, Giropay, Rapid Transfer
    USD, EUR, GBP, PLN, CZK
    Go To InstaForex
  9. 9
    Trade Nation
    200 Sign-Up Reward Points
    84% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
    Ratings
    4.3 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    4.1 / 5
    0 / 5
    $0
    0.1 Lots
    1:500 (entity dependent)
    FCA, ASIC, FSCA, SCB, FSA
    Forex, CFDs, Indices, Shares, Commodities, Futures, Bonds, Cryptos (Bahamas Entity Only)
    MT4
    Credit Card, Visa, Mastercard, Wire Transfer, Skrill, PayPal, Debit Card
    USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, ZAR, SEK, NOK, DKK
    Go To Trade Nation
  10. 10
    easyMarkets
    50% Deposit Bonus Or Up To A $2000 Tradable Bonus
    Ratings
    4.1 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    3.3 / 5
    4 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    4 / 5
    4 / 5
    4.6 / 5
    3.6 / 5
    $25
    0.01 lots
    1:2000
    CySEC, ASIC, FSCA, FSC, FSA
    CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto
    easyMarkets App, Web Platform, MT4, MT5, TradingView, TradingCentral
    UnionPay, Credit Card, Bitcoin Payments, Debit Card, AstroPay, Perfect Money, WebMoney, Sticpay, Visa, Wire Transfer, Mastercard, Ethereum Payments
    USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, ZAR, TRY, SEK, NOK, CHF, HKD, SGD, PLN, CZK, MXN, CNY
    Go To easyMarkets

Here is a short overview of each broker's pros and cons

  1. AvaTrade - Established in 2006, AvaTrade is a leading forex and CFD broker trusted by over 400,000 traders. Operating under regulation in 9 jurisdictions, AvaTrade processes an impressive 2+ million trades each month. Through like MT4, MT5, and its proprietary WebTrader, the broker provides a growing selection of 1,250+ instruments. Whether it’s CFDs, AvaOptions, or the more recent AvaFutures, short-term traders at all levels will find opportunities. With terrific education and 24/5 multilingual customer support, AvaTrade delivers the complete trading experience.
  2. IC Markets - IC Markets is a globally recognized forex and CFD broker known for its excellent pricing, comprehensive range of trading instruments, and premium trading technology. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Australia, the brokerage is regulated by the ASIC, CySEC and FSA, and has attracted more than 180,000 clients from over 200 countries.
  3. Deriv - Established in 1999, Deriv is an innovative broker now serving over 2.5 million global clients. The firm offers CFDs, multipliers and more recently accumulators, alongside its proprietary derived products which can't be found elsewhere, providing flexible short-term trading opportunities.
  4. IC Trading - IC Trading is part of the established IC Markets group. Built for serious traders, it boasts some of the most competitive spreads, reliable order execution, and advanced trading tools. The catch is that it’s registered in the offshore financial centre of Mauritius, enabling it to offer high leverage but in a weakly regulated trading setting.
  5. Exness - Established in 2008, Exness has maintained its position as a highly respected broker, standing out with its industry-leading range of 40+ account currencies, growing selection of CFD instruments, and intuitive web platform complete with useful extras like currency convertors and trading calculators.
  6. XM - XM is a globally recognized forex and CFD broker with 10+ million clients in 190+ countries. Since 2009, this trusted broker has been delivering low trading fees across its growing roster of 1000+ instruments. It’s also highly regulated, including by ASIC and CySEC and offers a comprehensive MetaTrader experience.
  7. FOREX.com - Founded in 1999, FOREX.com is now part of StoneX, a financial services organization serving over one million customers worldwide. Regulated in the US, UK, EU, Australia and beyond, the broker offers thousands of markets, not just forex, and provides excellent pricing on cutting-edge platforms.
  8. InstaForex - InstaForex is a forex and CFD broker founded in 2007. The broker offers diverse market coverage to millions of clients, spanning traditional assets like currencies and shares, as well as other interesting opportunities such as IPOs.
  9. Trade Nation - Trade Nation is a top FX and CFD broker regulated in multiple jurisdictions including the UK and Australia. The firm offers low-cost fixed and variable spreads on 1000+ assets with robust trading platforms and training materials. The Signal Centre can also be used for trade ideas.
  10. easyMarkets - Established in 2001, easyMarkets has made for a name for itself as a trusted, fixed spread broker. Improvements to its tools over the years, from adding the MetaTrader suite and TradingView to enhancing its exclusive risk management tools like dealCancellation, mark it out from the competition.

Best Day Trading Platforms and Brokers in Japan 2024 Comparison

Best Day Trading Platforms and Brokers in Japan 2024 Comparison
Broker Minimum Deposit JPY Account Markets Platforms Leverage
AvaTrade logo
$100 - CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Bonds, Crypto, Spread Betting, Futures WebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, AvaFutures, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingCentral, DupliTrade 1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro)
IC Markets logo
$200 ✔ CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, Futures, Crypto MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade 1:30 (ASIC & CySEC), 1:500 (FSA), 1:1000 (Global)
Deriv logo
$5 - CFDs, Multipliers, Accumulators, Synthetic Indices, Forex, Stocks, Options, Commodities, ETFs Deriv Trader, Deriv X, Deriv Go, MT5, cTrader, TradingView 1:1000
IC Trading logo
$200 ✔ CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, Cryptos, Futures MT4, MT5, cTrader, AutoChartist, TradingCentral 1:500
Exness logo
$10 ✔ CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto Exness Trade App, Exness Terminal, MT4, MT5, TradingCentral 1:Unlimited
XM logo
$5 ✔ CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Commodities, Indices, Thematic Indices, Precious Metals, Energies MT4, MT5, TradingCentral 1:1000
FOREX.com logo
$100 ✔ Forex, CFDs, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Futures, Options, Crypto MT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral 1:400
InstaForex logo
$1 - Currencies, Cryptocurrencies, Stocks, Indices, Metals, Oil and Gas, Commodity Futures and InstaFutures MT4, MT5 1:1000
Trade Nation logo
$0 - Forex, CFDs, Indices, Shares, Commodities, Futures, Bonds, Cryptos (Bahamas Entity Only) MT4 1:500 (entity dependent)
easyMarkets logo
$25 ✔ CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto easyMarkets App, Web Platform, MT4, MT5, TradingView, TradingCentral 1:2000

AvaTrade

"AvaTrade offers active traders everything they need: an intuitive WebTrader, powerful AvaProtect risk management, a smooth 5-minute sign-up process, and dependable support you can rely on in fast-moving markets."

Jemma Grist, Reviewer

AvaTrade Quick Facts

Bonus Offer20% Welcome Bonus up to $10,000
Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsCFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Bonds, Crypto, Spread Betting, Futures
RegulatorASIC, CySEC, FSCA, ISA, CBI, FSA, FSRA, BVI, ADGM, CIRO, AFM
PlatformsWebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, AvaFutures, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingCentral, DupliTrade
Minimum Deposit$100
Minimum Trade0.01 Lots
Leverage1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro)
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD

Pros

  • The WebTrader excelled in our hands-on tests, sporting a user-friendly interface for beginners, complete with robust charting tools like 6 chart layouts and 60+ technical indicators.
  • Support at AvaTrade performed excellently during testing, with response times of 3 minutes and localized support in major trading jurisdictions, including the UK, Europe and the Middle East.
  • AvaTrade continues to enhance its suite of products, recently through AvaFutures, providing an alternative vehicle to speculate on over 35 markets with low day trading margins.

Cons

  • AvaTrade’s WebTrader has improved, but work is still needed in terms of customizability – frustratingly widgets like market watch and watchlists can’t be hidden, moved, or resized.
  • Although the deposit process itself is smooth, AvaTrade still doesn’t facilitate crypto payments, a feature increasingly offered by brokers like TopFX, which caters to crypto-focused traders.
  • The AvaSocial app is good but not great – the look and feel, plus the navigation between finding strategy providers and account management needs upgrading to rival category leaders like eToro.
Visit AvaTrade
AvaTrade Review

IC Markets

"IC Markets offers superior pricing, exceptionally fast execution and seamless deposits. The introduction of advanced charting platforms, notably TradingView, and the Raw Trader Plus account, ensures it remains a top choice for intermediate to advanced day traders."

Christian Harris, Reviewer

IC Markets Quick Facts

Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsCFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, Futures, Crypto
RegulatorASIC, CySEC, FSA, CMA
PlatformsMT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade
Minimum Deposit$200
Minimum Trade0.01 Lots
Leverage1:30 (ASIC & CySEC), 1:500 (FSA), 1:1000 (Global)
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD

Pros

  • IC Markets offers among the tightest spreads in the industry, with 0.0-pip spreads on major currency pairs, making it especially cost-effective for day traders.
  • You have access to over 2,250 CFDs across various markets, including forex, commodities, indices, stocks, bonds, and cryptocurrencies, allowing for diversified trading strategies.
  • IC Markets offers fast and dependable 24/5 support based on firsthand experience, particularly when it comes to accounts and funding issues.

Cons

  • Interest isn't paid on unused cash, an increasingly popular feature found at alternatives like Interactive Brokers.
  • The breadth and depth of tutorials, webinars and educational resources still need work, trailing alternatives like CMC Markets and reducing its suitability for beginners.
  • While IC Markets offers a selection of metals and cryptos for trading via CFDs, the range is not as extensive as brokers like eToro, limiting opportunities for traders interested in these asset classes.
Visit IC Markets
IC Markets Review

Deriv

"Deriv is ideal for active traders seeking alternative and unique ways to speculate on global financial markets, from multipliers and accumulator options to its bespoke synthetic indices, which mimic real market movements and are available 24/7, allowing for continuous trading opportunities regardless of market hours."

Christian Harris, Reviewer

Deriv Quick Facts

Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsCFDs, Multipliers, Accumulators, Synthetic Indices, Forex, Stocks, Options, Commodities, ETFs
RegulatorMFSA, LFSA, BVIFSC, VFSC, FSC, SVGFSA
PlatformsDeriv Trader, Deriv X, Deriv Go, MT5, cTrader, TradingView
Minimum Deposit$5
Minimum Trade0.01 Lots
Leverage1:1000
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP

Pros

  • Deriv stands out with its innovative products, from multipliers and derived indices to its addition of accumulator options, providing exclusive short-term trading opportunities.
  • After integrating TradingView and adding MT5 web trader, Deriv now offers a first-class selection of charting tools across desktop, web and mobile devices.
  • Although response times trail alternatives in our personal experience, Deriv offers 24/7 support and is one of the few brokers to offer WhatsApp assistance.

Cons

  • Leverage up to 1:1000 will appeal to traders with a large risk appetite but frustratingly there is no ability to flex the leverage in the account area.
  • Apart from the MFSA in the EU, Deriv lacks top-tier regulatory credentials, reducing the level of safeguards like access to investor compensation.
  • While the Academy launched in 2021 is a step in the right direction, there is limited education on advanced trading topics for seasoned traders and no live webinars to upskill new traders.
Visit Deriv
Deriv Review

IC Trading

"With superior execution speeds averaging 40 milliseconds, deep liquidity, and powerful charting software, IC Trading delivers an optimal trading environment tailored for scalpers, day traders, and algorithmic traders. "

Christian Harris, Reviewer

IC Trading Quick Facts

Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsCFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, Cryptos, Futures
RegulatorFSC
PlatformsMT4, MT5, cTrader, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
Minimum Deposit$200
Minimum Trade0.01 Lots
Leverage1:500
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD

Pros

  • Trading Central and Autochartist are valuable tools for in-depth technical summaries and actionable trading ideas and are accessible from within the account area or the cTrader platform.
  • The simplified and digital account opening process saves time and effort, allowing traders to start trading sooner without extensive paperwork, taking just minutes during testing.
  • IC Trading provides industry-leading spreads, including 0.0-pip spreads on major currency pairs such as EUR/USD, making it ideal for day traders.

Cons

  • Despite being part of the trusted IC Markets group, IC Trading is authorized by a weak regulator - the FSC of Mauritius, with limited financial transparency and regulatory safeguards.
  • The educational resources are greatly in need of improvement, unless you navigate to the IC Markets website, posing a limitation for beginners in search of a comprehensive learning journey, especially compared to category leaders like eToro.
  • Unlike IC Markets, IC Trading does not support social trading through the group’s IC Social app or the third-party copy trading platform ZuluTrade.
Visit IC Trading
IC Trading Review

Exness

"After slashing its spreads, improving its execution speeds and support trading on over 100 currency pairs with more than 40 account currencies to choose from, Exness is a fantastic option for active forex traders looking to minimize trading costs."

Christian Harris, Reviewer

Exness Quick Facts

Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsCFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto
RegulatorCySEC, FCA, FSCA, CMA, FSA, CBCS, BVIFSC, FSC
PlatformsExness Trade App, Exness Terminal, MT4, MT5, TradingCentral
Minimum Deposit$10
Minimum Trade0.01 Lots
Leverage1:Unlimited
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, INR, JPY, ZAR, MYR, IDR, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD, AED, SAR, HUF, BRL, NGN, THB, VND, UAH, KWD, QAR, KRW, MXN, KES, CNY

Pros

  • Highly competitive spreads, reduced for USOIL and BTCUSD in 2024, are available from 0 pips with low commissions from $2 per side.
  • Exness Terminal offers a streamlined experience for beginners with dynamic charts while setting up watchlists is a breeze.
  • Fast and dependable 24/7 multilingual customer support via telephone, email and live chat based on hands-on tests.

Cons

  • MetaTrader 4 and 5 are supported, but TradingView and cTrader still aren’t despite rising demand from active traders and integration at alternatives like Pepperstone.
  • Exness has expanded its range of CFDs and added a copy trading feature, but there are still no real assets such as ETFs, cryptocurrencies or bonds
  • Retail trading services are unavailable in certain jurisdictions, such as the US and the UK, limiting accessibility compared to top-tier brokers like Interactive Brokers.
Visit Exness
Exness Review

XM

"With a low $5 minimum deposit, advanced charting platforms in MT4 and MT5, expanding range of markets, and a Zero account offering spreads from 0.0, XM provides all the essentials for active traders, even earning our ‘Best MT4/MT5 Broker’ award in recent years."

Christian Harris, Reviewer

XM Quick Facts

Bonus Offer$30 No Deposit Bonus When You Register A Real Account
Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsCFDs, Forex, Stocks, Commodities, Indices, Thematic Indices, Precious Metals, Energies
RegulatorASIC, CySEC, DFSA, IFSC
PlatformsMT4, MT5, TradingCentral
Minimum Deposit$5
Minimum Trade0.01 Lots
Leverage1:1000
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, JPY

Pros

  • XM stands out for its commitment to trader education, with a wealth of well-presented resources, including webinars, tutorials, and even real-time trading sessions through XM Live.
  • XM’s growing roster of 1,000+ instruments provides diverse short-term trading opportunities, with unique turbo stocks, fractional shares, and more recently thematic indices.
  • XM’s customer support has delivered over years of testing, with 24/5 assistance in 25 languages, response times of <2 minutes and now a growing Telegram channel.

Cons

  • XM is falling behind the curve by not offering cTrader and TradingView which are increasingly being favored over MetaTrader for their smoother user experience and superior charting packages.
  • While the XM app stands out for its usability and exclusive copy trading products, the selection of technical analysis tools needs to be improved to meet the needs of advanced traders.
  • XM relies solely on the MetaTrader platforms for desktop trading, so there’s no in-house downloadable or web-accessible solution for a more beginner-friendly user experience with unique features.
Visit XM
XM Review

FOREX.com

"FOREX.com remains a best-in-class brokerage for active forex traders of all experience levels, with over 80 currency pairs, tight spreads from 0.0 pips and low commissions. The powerful charting platforms collectively offer over 100 technical indicators, as well as extensive research tools."

Christian Harris, Reviewer

FOREX.com Quick Facts

Bonus Offer20% Welcome Bonus Up To $5000
Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsForex, CFDs, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Futures, Options, Crypto
RegulatorNFA, CFTC, CIRO, FCA, CYSEC, ASIC, SFC, FSA, MAS, CIMA
PlatformsMT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
Minimum Deposit$100
Minimum Trade0.01 Lots
Leverage1:400
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, PLN

Pros

  • There’s a wealth of educational resources including tutorials, webinars, and a stacked YouTube channel to help you get educated in the financial markets.
  • Alongside a choice of leading platforms, FOREX.com offers a superb suite of supplementary tools including Trading Central research, SMART Signals pattern scanner, trading signals, and strategy builders.
  • FOREX.com offers industry-leading forex pricing starting from 0.0 pips, alongside competitive cashback rebates of up to 15% for serious day traders.

Cons

  • Funding options are limited compared to leading alternatives like IC Markets and don’t include many popular e-wallets, notably UnionPay and POLi.
  • Despite increasing its range of instruments, FOREX.com's product portfolio is still limited to forex and CFDs, so there are no options to invest in real stocks, real ETFs or real cryptocurrencies.
  • FOREX.com's MT4 platform offers approximately 600 instruments, significantly fewer than the over 5,500 available on its non-MetaTrader platforms.
Visit FOREX.com
FOREX.com Review

InstaForex

"InstaForex maintains its position as a top forex broker, with more currency products than most rivals. The tight spreads and low minimum deposits make it accessible to all experience levels, especially those familiar with the MT4 and MT5 platforms."

William Berg, Reviewer

InstaForex Quick Facts

Bonus OfferChoose between: Club Bonus, 30 %, 55 % and 100 % bonuses
Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsCurrencies, Cryptocurrencies, Stocks, Indices, Metals, Oil and Gas, Commodity Futures and InstaFutures
RegulatorBVI FSC
PlatformsMT4, MT5
Minimum Deposit$1
Minimum Trade0.10 of the lot (0.0001 of market lot for Cent.Standard and Cent.Eurica)
Leverage1:1000
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, PLN, CZK

Pros

  • The broker is a particularly good pick for serious forex traders, with over 100 currency pairs, tight spreads from 0.0 pips and a market-leading selection of curated forex market resources
  • InstaForex delivers a superb day trading environment, with the powerful MT4 and MT5 platforms offering dozens of technical analysis tools, automation capabilities and multiple order types
  • The broker is accessible for beginners, with low minimum deposits and zero-commission trading available.

Cons

  • The broker’s website and client cabinet feel outdated and difficult to navigate for newcomers
  • Customer support is available only in EN, CZ, PL, and SK.
  • The broker provides trading instruments only in the form of CFDs.
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InstaForex Review

Trade Nation

"Trade Nation is a good choice for newer traders looking for a wide range of financial markets on a user-friendly platform. There is no minimum deposit, free funding options and strong education."

William Berg, Reviewer

Trade Nation Quick Facts

Bonus Offer200 Sign-Up Reward Points
Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsForex, CFDs, Indices, Shares, Commodities, Futures, Bonds, Cryptos (Bahamas Entity Only)
RegulatorFCA, ASIC, FSCA, SCB, FSA
PlatformsMT4
Minimum Deposit$0
Minimum Trade0.1 Lots
Leverage1:500 (entity dependent)
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, AUD, ZAR, SEK, NOK, DKK

Pros

  • Full range of investments via leveraged CFDs for long and short opportunities
  • There is a low minimum deposit for beginners
  • A choice of trading platforms and apps, including MT4, make the brand a good fit for savvy traders

Cons

  • Fewer legal protections with offshore entity
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Trade Nation Review

easyMarkets

"easyMarkets provides fixed spreads starting at 0.7 pips, making it an excellent choice for beginners seeking predictable trading costs. After adding a Bitcoin-based account, it’s also a stand-out option for crypto-focused traders who want to deposit, trade, and withdraw in digital currencies."

Christian Harris, Reviewer

easyMarkets Quick Facts

Bonus Offer50% Deposit Bonus Or Up To A $2000 Tradable Bonus
Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsCFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto
RegulatorCySEC, ASIC, FSCA, FSC, FSA
PlatformseasyMarkets App, Web Platform, MT4, MT5, TradingView, TradingCentral
Minimum Deposit$25
Minimum Trade0.01 lots
Leverage1:2000
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, ZAR, TRY, SEK, NOK, CHF, HKD, SGD, PLN, CZK, MXN, CNY

Pros

  • With 20+ years in the industry, multiple awards, and authorization from two ‘green tier’ regulators, easyMarkets continues to earn its reputation as a secure broker for active traders.
  • easyMarkets added Bitcoin as a base currency in 2019. This marks it out against most of the market and eliminates the need to convert crypto to fiat, reducing conversion fees and simplifying management for crypto-focused traders.
  • easyMarkets takes risk management seriously, with negative balance protection plus guaranteed stop losses and its dealCancellation (enhanced in 2024 to include periods of 1, 3, or 6 hours) in the Web Trader.

Cons

  • easyMarkets does not offer a zero-spread account like Pepperstone, which can be a drawback for day traders and high-frequency traders who require minimal transaction costs.
  • easyMarkets is falling behind by not providing the copy trading features you get at category leader eToro, which are popular among beginners looking to follow the strategies of experienced traders.
  • While easyMarkets provides solid educational resources for beginners, they fall short for advanced traders. The Academy offers well-structured courses and engaging gamification, but the overall content lacks depth.
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easyMarkets Review

Methodology

To find the best day trading platforms in Japan, we scoured our directory of 216 online brokers and extracted all those that accept Japanese traders.

We then ranked them by their overall rating, drawing on 100+ data points and findings from our hands-on tests.

  • We made sure each platform accepts Japanese day traders.
  • We assigned each broker a trust score taking into account their regulations.
  • We focused on brokers with competitive day trading fees.
  • We prioritized platforms with a diverse range of markets.
  • We favored brokers with reliable charting platforms.
  • We checked each broker’s leverage and margin requirements.
  • We examined each platform’s execution quality.

DayTrading.com broker testing methodology overview

How To Choose A Day Trading Broker In Japan

There are several factors to consider when choosing a day trading broker:

Trust & Regulation

The most trustworthy brokers are regulated by ‘green tier’ authorities which mandate transparent pricing, fair market practices and safeguarding measures.

This helps to protect active traders from misconduct and fraud, like the massive $105 million investment scam uncovered by Japanese regulators, as reported by Finance Magnates.

Day traders should feel reassured that the Japanese Financial Services Agency (FSA) is a proactive green tier regulator. Additionally, regulators like Australia’s ASIC may also license brokers that accept Japanese traders, providing stringent provisions like negative balance protection.

  • AvaTrade maintains a podium position for Japanese traders, with local regulation by the FSA, among other respected agencies and a long history since 2006. It also offers negative balance protection and a bespoke risk management tool, AvaProtect.

Day Trading Fees

Active traders make frequent transactions throughout the day, which can impact profitability if costs are high.

During our routine tests, we evaluate spreads and commissions on notable assets like USD/JPY, with the best brokers offering narrow spreads from 0.0 pips.

We also consider non-trading fees, which can mount up if making multiple deposits, especially if you’re transferring Japanese yen to an account based in another currency.

I also recommend considering whether you get access to premium research tools which might justify higher costs.

For example, day traders may benefit from daily forex analysis on JPY currency pairs, or economic updates from the Bank of Japan.

author image
Jemma Grist
Author
  • IC Markets consistently delivers superior pricing for active traders, with raw spreads averaging 0.14 on USD/JPY and 8.585 on the JP225 Index. Impressively, you also get free access to terrific research tools, including Trading Central‘s Market Buzz feature where you can view market sentiment and gauge price trends on Japanese assets.

Range of Markets

Having access to a wide range of markets is crucial for building a diversified portfolio and spreading risk across multiple asset classes.

Traders may want a platform with a range of currency pairs involving the JPY given that forex trading in Japan is huge, as well as equities and indices listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), such as Toyota and the Nikkei 225.

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As the fourth largest export economy in the world, prominent Japanese export and import commodities such as oil, iron and gold, also offer attractive short-term trading investments.

Infographic showing popular day trading markets in Japan

  • IG offers thousands of day trading opportunities, notably four JPY pairs, TSE-listed stocks, as well as a range of Japanese ETFs, including the iShares MSCI Japan ETF.

Platforms & Tools

Day traders rely on a powerful and stable charting environment to analyze their chosen markets and build trading strategies.

The best brokers will offer a range of platforms and analysis tools, with MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and cTrader being some of the most common solutions. These platforms offer a superb range of technical indicators, chart types and timeframes, catering to various short-term trading strategies.

That said, I personally enjoy using TradingView, thanks to its sleeker design and super easy navigation.

It’s also been integrated by a growing number of brokers in recent years, notably VT Markets, which accepts Japanese traders.

author image
Jemma Grist
Author
Forex.com web platform showing EUR/JPY chart and integrated SMART Signals
FOREX.com – Web Platform & SMART Signals showing JPY currency pairs
  • FOREX.com is great for beginners and experts alike, offering a range of first-rate platforms including MT5 and a user-friendly bespoke solution powered by TradingView. The SMART Signals tool also delivers statistics-driven trade ideas, making the broker a top pick for aspiring traders.

Leverage & Margin

Transparent leverage and margin requirements are important for day traders who need to understand potential gains and risks upfront.

Leverage effectively allows you to boost your potential profits using only a small deposit.

For example, if I set up a trade on Toyota shares with 1:10 leverage, my outlay of 40,000 yen would be increased to 400,000 yen.

Conversely, this also means my losses could be magnified 10x, which highlights the importance of employing solid risk management.

author image
Jemma Grist
Author
  • XM offers very high leverage up to 1:1000 (only recommended for professional traders). The broker also has a 50% margin call (where you will be required to top up your margin level) and a stop-out level set to 20% (where your positions will start automatically closing if you do not meet the margin requirement).

Execution Quality

Fast-paced trading strategies have a greater chance of success if orders are filled quickly and efficiently.

The best brokers will ensure that time delays (latency) are minimized and that orders are executed at the requested price or better (slippage).

During our routine tests, we investigate whether brokers meet our preferred benchmark execution speeds of <100 milliseconds.

  • FxPro offers superior execution compared to many alternatives, with speeds as low as 13 milliseconds with 71.4% of orders completed at the requested price. It also offers a competitive range of JPY currency pairs, including minors like SGD/JPY.

Minimum Deposit

Typically, you’ll need up to 250 USD (approximately 38,920 JPY) to open a live trading account.

Based on our tests, though, many day trading platforms go much lower with some even requiring no minimum deposit – great for newer traders.

Leading brokers also offer low-cost, fast and hassle-free funding options. While Japan remains a largely cash-based economy, card payments such as JCB cards, are one of the more popular online methods according to findings by Adyen.

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Japanese traders may want to consider brokers that offer accounts denominated in JPY. These can help to reduce conversion fees and streamline account management.
  • Exness is a convenient choice for Japanese traders, with its JPY-based accounts, easy funding via JCB card, and just a $10 minimum deposit to get started. It’s one of the most accessible day trading brokers we’ve tested.

FAQ

Who Regulates Day Trading Platforms In Japan?

The Japanese Financial Services Agency (FSA) is responsible for overseeing online brokers in Japan.

That said, traders can also register with trusted overseas firms which are regulated by other reputable authorities, for example, the ASIC (Australia) or FCA (UK). That said, it’s important to continue adhering to the FSA’s regulations and tax rules in Japan.

Which Is The Best Broker That Accepts Day Traders From Japan?

Use our list of the best day trading platforms in Japan to find the perfect broker for your needs.

For example, if you’re looking for a fantastic selection of Japanese markets, IG offers JPY currencies, TSE-listed stocks, and an excellent range of ETFs. It also boasts some of the best research and education tools that I’ve seen.

Article Sources

The writing and editorial team at DayTrading.com use credible sources to support their work. These include government agencies, white papers, research institutes, and engagement with industry professionals. Content is written free from bias and is fact-checked where appropriate. Learn more about why you can trust DayTrading.com