IBSJ FAQs

I Have an Account


General

Interactive Brokers Securities Inc. is a Japanese securities firm that is a member of the Japan Securities Dealers Association and an affiliate of the Interactive Brokers Group in the United States.

The securities and money entrusted to us by our clients are kept strictly separate from our own assets (segregated management). In addition, we are a member of the Japan Investor Protection Fund, which provides financial compensation to our clients in the event that we are unable to return the securities or money entrusted to us due to default.

JIPF website: https://jipf.or.jp/en/index.html

Currently only an Ippan (General) account is available. Therefore, clients are required to file their own taxes.

There is no account maintenance fee.

Yes, for English assistance please call 03-4590-0711.

Please log in to Client Portal (IBKR's account management system) here and update your address via the following. Click on the head and shoulders symbol in the upper right corner > Settings > Account Settings > Account Profile > Profile > Edit Profile > update your address on the page that follows. You will be required to submit documents as proof of your new address. See list of accepted proof of address documents.

Important: Clients who hold trading permissions for Japanese stocks and Japanese stock options are required to update their information with JASDEC whenever they change their address. To update your information, please log in to Client portal and go to Help > Support Center > Information and Tools > JASDEC.


Transactions

You may begin trading once funds have been deposited and credited to your account. Please log in to Client Portal and apply for trading permissions via the following. Click on the head and shoulders symbol in the upper right corner > Settings > Trading > Trading Permissions.

Important: You must be registered with JASDEC to trade Japanese stocks and stock options. To register with JASDEC, please log in to Client Portal and click Help > Support Center > Information and Tools > JASDEC Please note that JASDEC registration typically takes 3-business days to complete after submission. You may begin trading once registration is completed.

Please confirm that your application for registration with JASDEC is complete. Contact Client Services if you require additional assistance.

We only offer cash accounts.

Since this account is a cash account, short selling is not permitted. However, it is possible to hold a short position in Japanese stock CFDs.

One demo account is granted per account. We refer to demo accounts as paper trading accounts. When logging in to our platforms, please select Paper Trading on the login screen and log in with your live trading user ID and password. The account number for the paper trading account will begin with DU. Please do not confuse this with your live account.

We do not allow double trades. A buy or sell order will be offset by an equivalent opposite trade. Cross trading is also not allowed on the IBKR platform.

There are no position limits as long as IBKR margin requirements are met. However, please note that if our own risk assessment deems a client's position to be too risky, a margin requirement that significantly exceeds the legal margin amount will be required.

It is not possible to specify lots. The average price of positions is used to calculate realized gains/losses on the trading tools. Additionally, gains and losses on trading statements (Activity Statements) are calculated using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method.


Deposits and Withdrawals

Since the account is a domestic account, fund transfers from Japanese banks will be domestic remittances.

You can withdraw the funds three business days after the funds' arrival.

Withdrawal requests cannot be immediately submitted. Withdrawal requests can be submitted the day after the settlement date (US Eastern Time).

Quick Deposit is not supported.

We offer one free withdrawal request per calendar month. After the first withdrawal (of any kind), IBSJ will charge JPY 1760 (+ tax) for any additional withdrawals.

No. Only deposits in the name of the account holder are accepted. For individual accounts, only deposits from bank accounts in the same individual's name are accepted. For corporate accounts, we only accept deposits from bank accounts in the same corporate name.

Yes, you can deposit/withdraw USD, EUR and GBP to/from your IBSJ account. Transfers for these non-JPY currencies are an international wire, not a domestic wire. Please check with your bank transfer fees, including lifting charges.


Security

Yes, two-factor verification is required.

When you open an account, you will be asked to verify your mobile phone number via SMS, which will serve as a temporary two-factor verification token. After opening an account and making a deposit, you may continue to use SMS, but you may also use the IBKR Mobile application with IB Key functionality at any time.

Read more about IB Key at: Knowledge Base

How to activate and use IB Key (Android OS 7 and above): Knowledge Base

How to activate and use IB Key (iPhone 5S and above with Touch ID enabled): Knowledge Base

QR code: Knowledge Base

*QR codes are available only if the specimen phone number has been verified.

SMS is sent to the mobile phone number registered when applying for an account. Though you can edit the phone number in Client Portal, you must call our Client Service desk to make any changes to your registered phone number.

Two-factor verification is required to ensure security and cannot be removed.


US Stock Overnight Trading

The overnight trading session allows you to trade on your timetable and capture more market opportunities by submitting orders for a wide range of US ETFs and more popular US stocks.

The current securities available to trade during the US overnight trading session.

See the exchange listing page by clicking the "Exchange" tab and searching "Overnight" for a complete listing of the available US stocks and ETFs.

Interactive Brokers is now offering the ability to trade US ETF Securities and more popular US stocks during Asia-Pacific (APAC) trading hours.

Please Note

  • US stocks are not allowed to be traded on the Overnight trading venue the day before or the day after a corporate action.
  • To place orders using TWS, you need TWS build 10.20.1c or later.

The US overnight trading hours are 8pm ET to 3:50am ET Sunday to Friday.

  • First trading session of week: Sunday 8pm to Monday 3:50am
  • Last trading session of week: Thursday 8pm to Friday 3:50am

Please Note

  • Trades executed between 8:00 pm and 12:00 am will carry a trade date of the following trade day.

Market data is provided free of charge during the US overnight trading session.

No, orders from Regular Trading Hours (RTH) and those orders marked to work outside RTH will not be eligible for the overnight session.

When you submit an overnight stock or ETF order, the "overnight" parameter is considered a destination.

Please Note

  • To place orders using TWS, you need TWS build 10.20.1c or later.

The commission charged during the US overnight session for IBKR Pro accounts is the same commission you are charged during regular trading hours. For an overview of the pricing structure for US Stocks and ETFs, please refer to our website under the Pricing menu followed by Commissions.

Please Note

  • Overnight trading will be treated as SMART routed for commission purposes.

Only Day Limit orders are allowed in the US overnight trading session. In this scenario, "DAY" implies the time during which the overnight market is open. Orders will only be active during the overnight trading hours and will expire automatically at 3:50am ET if not executed.

Trading in fractions is not permitted in the US overnight trading session.

The Overnight venue comprises multiple destinations. We display the best bid and ask from the included providers.

IBKR’s US overnight trading sessions observe the New York Stock Exchange’s ("NYSE") holiday schedule in that IBKR will not operate an overnight trading session when the NYSE is closed the next day (e.g., if the NYSE is closed on a Friday, IBKR will not operate a trading session that Thursday evening/Friday morning). IBKR does not adjust the overnight trading hours of operation on days the NYSE has a scheduled early close.

IBKR US Overnight trading venue employs price bands throughout each trading session. It will reject any order with a limit price outside the relevant price bands. Except where otherwise identified by IBKR, the price band for a given security is the narrower of (i) 90% of FINRA’s clearly erroneous thresholds for after-hours trading (the “FINRA Band”) and (ii) the CME Group U.S. equity index price limits (the “CME Band,” the narrower of the FINRA Band and the CME Band for a given security, the “Outer Price Band”). IBKR will not apply a price band that is wider than the Outer Price Band.

IBKR may, in its discretion, apply a price band that is narrower than the Outer Price Band due to unanticipated market conditions. IBKR may elect to apply a price band to a security that is narrower than the security’s Outer Price Band prior to the start of the trading session or after the US overnight trading venue has commenced trading. If IBKR narrows a price band during a trading session, orders resting in the US overnight trading venue that are priced outside the narrowed price band will be cancelled.

For the US overnight trading price bands, the reference price is the security’s closing price as disseminated by the security’s primary listing exchange or, whereas such a closing price was not disseminated, the last disseminated trade for the security during regular trading hours. Except where IBKR elects to narrow the price band for a security after the start of the US overnight trading venue session, a security’s price band remains static for the relevant trading session.

IBKR resets the US overnight trading venue price band for each trading session.


Other

As Foreign (Non-Japanese Citizen) Ownership of certain stocks is limited by "Civil Aviation Act," "Radio Law," "The Broadcast Act," and "The NTT Law," you may not be entitled to the shareholders benefits, as well as be listed as a shareholder, in case such foreign ownership exceeds the upper limit.

Please click here for details on holding ratio and other related information.

We accept transfers of Japanese stocks from other Japanese brokers. Please apply for registration from Client Portal by going to Transfer & Pay > Transfer of Positions > Deposit > All Other Regions > Free of Payment (FOP) Transfer of Global Securities.

Please enter your 21-digit JASDEC participant account code (Kanyushakoza Code)at the delivering broker in the "Client Account Number at Financial Institution" field. After submitting the application via Client Portal, please be sure to submit the request and instructions to the delivering broker.

Accounts held with Interactive Brokers Securities Japan, Inc. are for Japanese residents and cannot be used overseas. Please apply for a new account at your overseas address after you have moved. After opening an account, you will be able to transfer your positions manually. Please submit a request via Help > Secure Message Center from Client Portal.

I Do Not Have an Account


General

Interactive Brokers Securities Inc. is a Japanese securities firm that is an affiliate of the Interactive Brokers Group in the United States and is a member of the Japan Securities Dealers Association.

The securities and money entrusted to us by our clients are kept strictly separate from our own assets (segregated management). In addition, we are a member of the Japan Investor Protection Fund, which provides financial compensation to our clients in the event that we are unable to return the securities or money entrusted to us due to default.

JIPF website: https://jipf.or.jp/en/index.html

Currently only an Ippan (General) account is available. Therefore, clients are required to file their own taxes.

There is no account maintenance fee.

Yes, for English assistance please call 03-4590-0711.


Account Opening

Please apply through the online application form by clicking the "Open Account" button on the upper right corner of our website.

We do not accept written applications. All applications must be completed via our online application.

See list of documents required to open an account.

The account opening process is typically completed within 7 business days after the application is received. Note that application processing times are subject to change.

Registered mail is sent to your registered address as part of the identity verification process when opening an account. If you are not home at time of delivery, please refer to the delivery notice and contact the post office to arrange re-delivery. Family members can receive the mail on your behalf. Be advised that we cannot confirm your address if the mail is forwarded to an address other than your current residential address.

If your application is in the process of being completed, you may edit your information by logging in. If have already submitted your completed application, or if you are unable to modify your entry, please contact Client Services at 03-4590-0711 or connect with us via online chat.

If you are employed by a financial institution that has an Employee Track contract with us, you can apply for an account through a dedicated link provided by your employer. Please contact your compliance officer for this link. Other applicants can apply from the "Open Account" link in the upper right corner of our website.

You must be a resident of Japan to apply. Please be sure to submit a Japanese residence card (zairyu card) with a validity period of at least six months.

Individuals residing outside of Japan are not eligible to open an account at Interactive Brokers Securities Japan, Inc. If you are an overseas resident, please contact the Interactive Brokers Group in your country of residence.

You must be at least 18 years old to apply for an account.

Clients who are ages 18 to 20 can only trade cash equities. In addition, clients age 21 or older are subject to some requirements and screenings for each product, including having prior trading experience. For more information, please contact Client Services.

Migration from IBLLC account to IBSJ account


Please click here for a list of overseas ETFs that can be traded in your IBSJ account.

The SYEP is not available to IBSJ accounts.

The DRIP is not available to IBSJ accounts.

No. All IBSJ accounts have JPY as a base currency.

Your current paper trading account will be closed when your IBLLC account is closed.

Third party deposits/withdrawals are not permitted in IBSJ accounts.

These instructions will not be transferred. Please enter new instructions for your IBSJ account once your transfer is complete.

Yes, Japanese consumption tax applies to the commissions fee.

After signing the IBJP Multi-Currency disclosure, proceeds received from the sale of foreign securities will be received and held in the product's denominated currency. It is possible for account holders to convert funds to JPY. Other currency conversions are not permitted.

NISA and iDeco accounts will not be offered.

If you have an IBLLC account that is subject to transfer, log in to the Client Portal to view the transfer agreement and other verification forms to submit to open an IBSJ account. After completing these forms, your application for an IBSJ account will be processed.

No, tokutei accounts are not available. All accounts will be ippan (general) accounts.

Yes, IBSJ accounts can hold other currencies but may only deposit or withdraw funds denominated in JPY, USD, GBP and EUR. Please note that other currencies equivalent to less than USD 5 will auto-convert to JPY (the account’s base currency).

Yes, you can also deposit in USD, GBP and EUR.

Yes. After signing the IBJP Multi-Currency disclosure, you can transfer supported currencies from an IBLLC account to an IBSJ account.

Yes, they will apply after the first withdrawal per calendar month.

It is automatically paid to the IBSJ account.

Foreign stock transactions are conducted in the product's denominated currency. 

Auto-conversions into JPY occur at the time of transaction. Account holders may convert funds back to JPY (the account’s base currency) if they choose to do so at any time.

Yes. your transactions appear on your activity statement.

You will receive an annual statement for your IBLLC account that covers the period starting 1 January 2023 through the date of transfer. You will also receive a second annual statement for your new account at IBSJ that covers the period starting from the migration date through 31 December 2023.

There is no need to file a foreign assets report as IBSJ accounts are considered domestic accounts.

We will move your IBLLC portfolio in its entirety (unrestricted positions only) to your IBSJ account via FOP transfer. The book value/cost basis will also be transferred.

As IBSJ is a Japan domestic account, Japan domestic laws and rules will be applied. 

In general, U.S. stocks dividends will be subject to withholding tax in the U.S. at the rate of 10% based on the Japan-U.S. tax treaty, and an income tax of 15.315% (plus an additional 5% inhabitant tax for Japanese residents ) will be withheld in Japan on the remaining amount. With respect to foreign stocks other than U.S. stocks, taxes on dividends will be withheld locally at the maximum rate, and an income tax of 15.315% (plus an additional 5% inhabitant tax for Japanese residents ) will be withheld in Japan on the remaining amount.

Yes, customers can trade normally until the migration date.

IBSJ is a Japanese broker and therefore Japanese trading rules apply for both Japanese and foreign stocks. For more information, see our trading rules.

The transfer date will be determined by us, depending on the positions held. We cannot accept any requests on the transfer date.

Yes. The transfer occurs on the account migration date.

Only stocks offered in the IBSJ account can be transferred. If you hold stocks not offered in the IBSJ account, you will need to transfer them to another company or close the position.

Yes, you may decline to transfer. However, if you decline, you will be required to transfer your IBLLC positions to another broker and close your account or to close out your positions and account.

Yes, they are.

Residents of Japan must transition to an IBSJ account. It is not possible to transition to a separate IBKR entity as a resident of Japan.

Account holders no longer residing in Japan are advised to contact Client Services. TEL: 03-4590-0711 (Weekdays 8:30 - 17:30)