Securities Japan

Securities Japan has a tiered fee structure that varies based on transaction type and platform. For example, online spot trading under ¥1 million costs ¥1,100 per transaction, while online margin trading has the same fee. However, for phone orders, the fees can be significantly higher, especially for large transactions—up to ¥132,000 for orders over ¥30 million. From my perspective, these fees are relatively high compared to online brokers, especially for phone orders, which could be a major deterrent for frequent traders.

The key advantages of trading with Securities Japan are its long-established history since 1944 and its regulation by the Financial Services Agency (FSA). The firm offers a wide range of financial products such as stocks, bonds, investment trusts, futures, and options. As someone who values tradition and regulation, these are important factors for me. However, the higher-than-average trading fees and limited platform options, such as the lack of MetaTrader support, could make it less appealing for traders looking for more modern and cost-effective solutions.

Yes, Securities Japan charges several non-trading fees. For instance, there are fees for stock transfers (¥1,100 plus ¥550 per extra unit) and investment trust transfers (¥3,300 per stock). There are also additional charges for document requests, such as customer ledger copies and balance certificates, which cost ¥3,300 and ¥1,100 respectively. From my experience, these non-trading fees can add up if you frequently require documents or transfer shares, which could be an inconvenience.

Securities Japan offers an online trading platform compatible with PC, smartphones, and tablets. However, it does not support MetaTrader 4 or 5, which are commonly used by more experienced traders for automated trading and advanced charting. For me, the lack of MT4/MT5 support is a downside, as these platforms provide greater functionality and customizability. While the online trading system may be suitable for beginner traders, advanced traders may find it lacking in features.