This IG Japan review examines the broker’s regulatory standing, platform availability, and product offering tailored to Japanese traders. Operated by IG Securities Ltd, the Japan division is part of IG Group, a globally regulated financial services provider with a strong reputation for safety, transparency, and technology.

Regulation and Safety

IG Japan is fully authorised and regulated in Japan:

• JFSA (Japan Financial Services Agency): Registration No. 255
• JSDA (Japan Securities Dealers Association): Member
• FSA Type 1 Financial Instruments Business Operator

Client funds are segregated, and Japanese regulations enforce strict leverage caps, margin requirements, and investor protection standards. IG Japan also participates in local investor compensation schemes.

Execution Model and Trading Platforms

IG Japan provides a hybrid execution model based on the product type:

• Execution: Market Maker model for retail CFD and forex trading
• Platforms: IG’s proprietary platform (browser-based), mobile apps, and MT4
• Access: Desktop, iOS, Android, web
• FIX API: Not offered for retail clients
• VPS: Not offered locally

Markets and Instruments

IG Japan offers access to a broad selection of tradable assets designed for Japanese investors:

• Forex: 100+ FX pairs including USD/JPY, EUR/JPY, GBP/JPY
• Indices: Nikkei 225, Topix, global indices
• Stocks: CFDs on Japanese equities and international shares
• Commodities: Gold, crude oil, silver (CFDs)
• Crypto: BTC, ETH, LTC (CFDs only; subject to local restrictions)
• Options and warrants: Covered under IG’s structured product range

Accounts, Spreads and Leverage

IG Japan complies with JFSA leverage rules and provides tight spreads:

• Account types: CFD trading and forex margin trading
• Minimum deposit: ¥10,000
• Spreads: From 0.2 pips on USD/JPY
• Leverage: Max 1:25 (regulated cap by JFSA)
• Stop-out level: 100% margin requirement enforced

Funding and Base Currencies

Japanese traders can fund their accounts in JPY and other major currencies:

• Methods: Bank transfers (domestic), credit cards, online banking
• Base currencies: JPY primarily, with USD/EUR options
• Processing: Instant for local bank networks

Client Protections and Features

• Full compliance with Japanese FSA capital and reporting rules
• Client fund segregation with trust banks
• Investor compensation system (up to ¥10 million)
• 2FA login and secure client portal
• Customisable IG web platform in Japanese

Institutional and Retail Offering

• Retail: Comprehensive CFD and FX trading with tailored support for Japanese clients
• Institutional: Not available via IG Japan; handled by IG Group institutional divisions

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Fully regulated by JFSA and JSDA
• Access to Japanese and global markets
• Proprietary and MT4 platforms in Japanese
• Low spreads on major FX pairs
• Strong client fund protections

Cons

• Leverage limited to 1:25 under Japanese law
• No MT5 or FIX API access
• Limited crypto and options product range

Frequently Asked Questions

Is IG Japan regulated?

Yes, IG Japan is regulated by the Japanese Financial Services Agency (JFSA) and is a member of the Japan Securities Dealers Association (JSDA).

What trading platforms are available?

IG Japan clients can trade on the proprietary IG platform, MetaTrader 4, and dedicated mobile apps.

What is the leverage cap at IG Japan?

As per JFSA regulation, the maximum leverage is 1:25 for retail forex traders.

Does IG Japan offer crypto trading?

Yes, but only via CFDs and subject to local regulatory limits on crypto derivatives.

Is IG Japan suitable for beginners?

Yes, the broker provides an intuitive platform, Japanese-language support, and strong regulatory safeguards, making it suitable for beginners.