Updated list of available products for new IBKR Japan accounts

[sadmamacat]

I just checked out IBKR’s Japan website today and came across this updated page https://www.interactivebrokers.co.jp/en/index.php?f=50710

There are plenty of Vanguard ETFs and iShares as well. It’s not perfect, but for me is acceptable.

Edit: also looks like you can open new account again

 

[mitchellh]

@sadmamacat If IBKR JP has all of the ETFs and/or stocks you already invest in, won't it be better for us? I assume the tax reports will be in Japanese and English and it will make filing in Japan a lot easier. Also, no more transferring money abroad.

Other than lack of variety, is there anything I'm missing?

 

[sadmamacat]

@mitchellh I think there are a lot of benefits if they are willing to let American customers keep using the service. Like you said, taxes should get easier to do here. Domestic bank account transfers for people whose salary is paid in yen. I'd love to see NISA or tokutei accoutns become available sometime too.

 

[mitchellh]

@sadmamacat I was wondering if we then would be able to take advantage of NISA and/or ideco. Let's see

 

[toni123]

@sadmamacat I'm coming up on 5 years in Japan. Is it a good idea to move securities out of my US broker to IBKR? Will that avoid tax penalties from moving them after the 5-year residency period?

 

[confusedmanxxx]

@sadmamacat Is it just me, or is the download of PDF of the ETF Global list corrupted?

 

[hrcamacho]

@confusedmanxxx The US stocks and the ETF list are both corrupt for me. Those are the ones I'm interested in and I can't see anything

 

[sadmamacat]

@confusedmanxxx I got it just fine. Want me to check something for you?

 

[confusedmanxxx]

@sadmamacat Weird. Here's the link I'm opening: https://www.interactivebrokers.co.jp/download/ibsj/products/ETF_Global.pdf

I tried on two different browsers, and it downloads a PDF that I can't open.

I'm curious what Vanguard ETFs are on the list. Specifically VTI, VXUS, BND and BNDX.

 

[brianaxx1012]

@confusedmanxxx FWIW, I had that issue till I opened the PDF on a windows system.

 

[confusedmanxxx]

@brianaxx1012 I checked again and the link is working for me now. Very pleased to see that my Vanguard ETFs are on the list.

 

[sadmamacat]

@confusedmanxxx Bummer you can’t get it open. There are almost 100 vanguard ETFs including the four you listed

 

[mitchellh]

@confusedmanxxx Same

 

[brianaxx1012]

@sadmamacat Is it me, or are there no ultra-short term bond ETFs available?

I looked for SGOV/BIL/TFLO/USFR/VUSB, and none of those are supported. Since US Mutual Funds are off-limits, and I assume JP money market funds/accounts fall into the PFIC nightmare, what options are there for a cash dump?

I guess VGSH or SHV?

 

[sadmamacat]

@brianaxx1012 You looking for junk bonds? I see HYG and JNK

 

[brianaxx1012]

@sadmamacat No. I'm looking for an ETF consisting of either US Treasury Bills with a duration of 0-3 months, or US Treasury Floating Rate Notes.

I would have taken VUSB as a consolation prize, and that has exposure to commercial paper, but that's also unavailable (and BBB isn't quite "junk").

Edit: Since SBI and Rakuten also don't offer these, I suspect that they just aren't available in Japan at all.

 

[lishacccc]

@sadmamacat Does anyone know if US citizens are able to invest in everything? I just got burned by setting up a Rakuten account because they had a great US ETF list, only to discover that I'm not allowed to buy any of them.

Relatedly, can you make NISA investments using new and improved IBKR Japan?

 

[sadmamacat]

@lishacccc I know a few redditors have contacted IBKR support and it sounds like they will be servicing Americans. Best to confirm all the rules though for sure. And I’m guessing no NISA, doesn’t look available along with no tokutei accounts

 

[lishacccc]

@sadmamacat Thanks!

 

[gracec]

@sadmamacat No tokutei accounts with IBKR Japan?