How to Send Money from Japan to the US, Canada, or the EU: The Trusted, Low-Fee Way
The following article sources readily available information and was published on May 27th, 2025 JST.
Sending money abroad from Japan — whether to the US, Canada, or Europe — has historically been expensive, slow, and inconvenient. If you’re a student, freelancer, expat, or business owner, you’ve likely faced:
High fixed fees from banks (¥3,000 - ¥5,500 per transaction)
Unfavorable, opaque currency exchange rates
Long wait times for the money to arrive
Language barriers when using JP-based services
Thankfully, there’s a globally trusted and Japan-licensed solution that makes international transfers simple and low-cost: Wise.
Why Traditional Transfers Still Frustrate Japan-Based Users
Even in 2024, major Japanese banks such as MUFG, SMBC, and Mizuho charge:
¥3,000 - ¥5,500 per transfer fee
An FX margin of 2 - 4% on top of interbank exchange rates
Extra fees for intermediary or receiving banks (especially SWIFT-based payments)
Example fees (in Japanese only):
https://www.bk.mufg.jp/tesuuryou/gaitame.html
https://www.mizuhobank.co.jp/tetsuduki/gaikoku_soukin/index.html
Why Wise is a Better Alternative
Wise is a London-based fintech company that is officially registered in Japan under “Wise Payments Japan K.K.” and supervised by the Kanto Local Finance Bureau.
Features:
Mid-market exchange rate — no hidden markup
Transparent, low fixed fees (from ~¥200 - ¥1,200 depending on country and amount)
Real-time tracking and notifications
Fully translated UI for Japanese users
Trusted by over 16 million users globally
How to Send Money with Wise: Step-by-Step Guide
Create a free account at Wise.com or through the mobile app
Verify your identity by submitting:
My Number (個人番号)
Passport or Residence Card
Address in Japan
Enter recipient bank details (US, Canada, or EU account — local or SWIFT-based)
Input the transfer amount — Wise will show:
The exact fee
The current FX rate
Estimated arrival time
Choose your payment method:
Bank transfer (furikomi)
Debit card
Credit card
Confirm and track your transfer in real time
Watch the videos below for more in-depth instructions
Transfer Comparison Table
As of May 27th, 2025 @ 14:47 JST
How About Sending to Canada or the EU?
Wise supports local transfers in CAD and EUR, with most major bank networks supported:
Canada: Supports direct deposits to Canadian institutions including RBC, TD, and Scotiabank
EU: Uses SEPA for fast euro transfers to countries like Germany, France, Netherlands
Currencies supported: Over 50 including JPY, USD, CAD, EUR, GBP, AUD, SGD
*Revolut currently does not fully support Japan-issued debit/credit cards for topping up, and the local transfer setup is limited — users in Japan can hold JPY but may need to use a non-Japanese top-up method.
All of the above platforms/tools require photo ID and some form of address verification. Wise requires your My Number Card, but this is standard for legal remittance providers in Japan.
Overall: For outbound money transfer from Japan, Wise is generally cheaper and faster in most cases.
What About Expats Living in Japan?
If you're a foreign resident living in Japan, yes — you can still use Wise to send money abroad, as long as you meet a few basic conditions.
In Japan, as of May 2025, everyone with a medium- or long-term visa (more than 3 months) is issued a My Number (個人番号) after registering their address at a local municipal office. This includes:
International students
Skilled foreign workers
Spouses and dependents
Permanent residents and long-term visa holders
You’ll receive your My Number via mail after your residence registration is complete. You do not need to be a Japanese citizen.
To use Wise from Japan, you will need one of or all of the following:
Your My Number (notification letter or official card)
Your residence card (在留カード)
A registered Japanese address
If you're a short-term visitor or tourist, you won’t receive a My Number and therefore cannot register with Wise Japan. You could, however, register with Wise from your home country, request a Wise debit card, and withdraw cash locally in Japan. Another article covering how money can be sent to Japan will be posted in the near future.
As such, Wise also supports users globally. If you move away from Japan, you can update your Wise profile and continue using it from other countries.
How about About 7-Bank (Seven Bank) ATM Transfers?
Another method available in Japan is the Seven Bank International Money Transfer Service, offered through 7-Eleven ATMs and a mobile app.
How it works:
You register once through their app or online
After registration, you can send money abroad via any 7-Eleven ATM
Funds are typically picked up in cash by the recipient (via Western Union)
Some countries may support direct bank deposit
Pros:
Convenient for people who prefer cash
Available 24/7 through 7-Eleven ATMs
Japanese language support
Cons:
FX margins are not clearly shown upfront
Often higher overall cost than Wise for larger transfers
Cash-based pickup not ideal for US/Canada/EU transfers where bank deposits are preferred
Typical Fee (as of 2024):
¥990 - ¥2,000 fixed fee + currency exchange margin
Limits and fees vary by country and payout method
Best for:
Sending money to countries where recipients don’t have a bank account
Emergency cash remittances
Not ideal for:
Professionals, freelancers, or family transfers to US, Canada, or EU bank accounts
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need My Number?
Yes. As per Japan’s “Act on Prevention of Transfer of Criminal Proceeds,” My Number and ID verification are required for sending from Japan using financial services like Wise.
Can I send in JPY and the recipient gets USD/EUR/CAD?
Yes. Wise automatically converts your yen at the real mid-market rate and shows all charges before you pay.
Are there any transfer limits?
Yes. New users are usually limited to about ¥1 million/day. With account verification, you could possibly send more.
Is Wise safe?
Yes. It is supervised by the Kanto Finance Bureau, complies with local laws in Japan, and is used by over 16 million people worldwide.
Conclusion: Why Wise is Worth Using
Wise offers a transparent, regulated, and cost-efficient solution for sending money internationally from Japan to North America and Europe. It’s far easier to use, faster, and often over 60% cheaper than traditional banks.
Ready to transfer money the smart way?
Click here to open a free Wise account in Japan.
