Which broker is better for Japan traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Japan traders seeking a reliable forex broker in 2025, comparing EasyMarkets and FP Markets is essential. Both brokers accept Japanese residents and support Bank Transfer and Credit Card deposits in JPY. EasyMarkets, with a score of 3.4/5, is known for its fixed spreads and user-friendly web platform, but its trading costs are higher than many competitors. FP Markets, scoring 4.7/5, is a top choice among sophisticated traders in Japan due to its ECN pricing, low spreads, and extensive platform support including MT4, MT5, and cTrader. The local trading landscape in Japan emphasizes low-cost execution and strong regulation—while neither broker is regulated by the FSA Japan, both hold credible licenses from ASIC and CySEC. This comparison helps Japanese traders decide which broker aligns better with their trading style, capital size, and local payment preferences.
| Instrument | EasyMarkets | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FP Markets |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FP Markets |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FP Markets |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FP Markets |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $25 | $100 | FP Markets |
For Japan traders, trading costs are a critical factor, especially when dealing with high-volume forex pairs like USD/JPY. FP Markets offers raw spreads from 0.0 pips on its ECN account with a commission of about $3 per lot per side. This makes it significantly cheaper for active traders. In contrast, EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads that start at 1.3 pips on major pairs with no commission. While fixed spreads provide predictability, they result in higher overall costs for frequent traders. For a Japan trader executing dozens of lots per day, FP Markets can reduce spread costs by 50% or more compared to EasyMarkets. Additionally, FP Markets does not charge deposit fees, while EasyMarkets may apply small conversion charges for JPY deposits via credit cards.
| Account Type | EasyMarkets | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $25 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | EasyMarkets | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Japan (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:500 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
| Asset Class | EasyMarkets | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | EasyMarkets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | EasyMarkets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | EasyMarkets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | FP Markets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | EasyMarkets | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✓ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Japan traders demand powerful and customizable trading platforms. FP Markets excels here by offering MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader—all of which are available in Japanese language versions. These platforms support algorithmic trading via Expert Advisors (EAs) and offer advanced charting tools, crucial for sophisticated local traders. EasyMarkets provides its own proprietary web-based platform and a mobile app, which are simpler and easier for beginners but lack advanced features like EAs or depth of market. For Japanese traders who rely on automated strategies or need multiple timeframe analysis, FP Markets is clearly superior. However, EasyMarkets’ platform offers a unique ‘deal cancellation’ feature that can appeal to risk-averse traders.
| Factor | EasyMarkets | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FP Markets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | EasyMarkets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
Execution quality can make or break a trading strategy, especially for Japan traders dealing with fast-moving JPY pairs. FP Markets offers true ECN execution with no dealing desk intervention, resulting in minimal slippage and fast order fills. The broker reports average execution speeds below 40ms. EasyMarkets uses a market maker model with fixed spreads, which can lead to requotes during volatile news events. For scalpers and day traders in Japan who rely on quick entries and exits, FP Markets’ execution model is clearly superior. EasyMarkets’ execution is more suitable for position traders who prefer predictable pricing over speed.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulatory oversight is a key concern for Japan traders, especially given the strict FSA Japan supervision on local brokers. While neither EasyMarkets nor FP Markets is directly regulated by the FSA Japan, both operate under reputable international regulators. EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus) and ASIC (Australia), while FP Markets is regulated by ASIC and the FSCA (South Africa). For Japanese clients, this means funds are held in segregated accounts and both brokers comply with client money protection rules. However, Japanese traders should note that they would not receive compensation from the FSA’s investor protection fund in case of broker insolvency. Therefore, choosing a broker with a strong track record like FP Markets (higher Trustpilot rating and longer history) may offer additional peace of mind.
| Payment Method | EasyMarkets | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | Cards 1-2 business days; e-wallets instant-1 business day; bank wire 3-10 business days; overall back-office processing within 1 business day (24h) | 24 hours |
Japan traders can easily fund their accounts at both EasyMarkets and FP Markets using Bank Transfer and Credit Card in JPY. EasyMarkets accepts Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire with a minimum deposit of approximately ¥15,000. FP Markets has a slightly lower minimum of around ¥10,000 via credit card or bank transfer. Both brokers process withdrawals efficiently; FP Markets typically completes bank transfers within 1-2 business days, while EasyMarkets takes 2-5 business days. FP Markets also supports e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller, which may offer faster processing for Japanese traders who prefer digital payments. Importantly, both brokers do not charge internal fees for deposits or withdrawals, but third-party bank fees may apply for wire transfers. Overall, FP Markets offers more flexibility and speed for Japanese clients.
| Islamic Account Feature | EasyMarkets | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Both EasyMarkets and FP Markets cater to Muslim traders in Japan by offering Islamic (swap-free) accounts. EasyMarkets provides a standard swap-free account where no interest is charged on overnight positions, applicable to all forex and CFD trades. FP Markets offers Islamic accounts upon request across all account types, including ECN and Standard. For Japan-based Muslim traders, it is important to note that while both brokers comply with Sharia principles, FP Markets has a clearer policy on the number of days a position can be held swap-free (often unlimited) without incurring administrative fees. EasyMarkets imposes a 14-day holding limit before a swap-like charge may apply. Therefore, FP Markets may be more suitable for longer-term traders.
| Support Feature | EasyMarkets | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | EasyMarkets |
Customer support quality is vital for Japan traders who may need assistance in Japanese. EasyMarkets offers 24/5 live chat and email support with limited Japanese language options, primarily in English. FP Markets provides 24/7 multilingual support including Japanese-language phone and live chat during Tokyo trading hours. FP Markets also has a local office in the Asia-Pacific region, which results in faster response times for Japanese clients. For technical questions or account issues, FP Markets’ support team is generally more responsive and accessible for Japan-based traders.
| Mobile Feature | EasyMarkets | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | EasyMarkets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | EasyMarkets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✓ | FP Markets |
| Resource | EasyMarkets | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | EasyMarkets |
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
Choose FP Markets if you...
For Japan traders in 2025, FP Markets emerges as the stronger choice over EasyMarkets, with a composite score of 4.7/5 versus 3.4/5. FP Markets offers tighter spreads, superior platforms, faster execution, and better support for Japanese clients—including Japanese language service and quicker deposit/withdrawal via Bank Transfer and Credit Card. While both brokers are not regulated by the FSA Japan, FP Markets’ ASIC license and longer track record provide a solid regulatory foundation. EasyMarkets remains a niche option for beginners who value fixed pricing and simple risk controls, but its higher costs and limited features make it less competitive for the sophisticated trader profile. For traders in Japan seeking a cost-effective, high-performance broker, FP Markets is the clear winner.