Which broker is better for Japan traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Choosing between EasyMarkets and XM Group can be challenging for Japan traders, especially those who are regulated sophisticated investors. Both brokers accept Japanese residents, offer JPY-denominated accounts, and support local payment methods such as Bank Transfer and Credit Card. However, neither broker is regulated by the FSA Japan; EasyMarkets operates under CySEC and FSA Seychelles, while XM Group holds multiple international licenses including CySEC and ASIC. For Japanese traders who prioritise broad market access and low trading costs, XM Group’s expansive offering—covering forex, indices, commodities, and more—often stands out. EasyMarkets, on the other hand, appeals with its fixed spreads and innovative risk management tools like deal cancellation, which can help traders avoid negative slippage. With XM Group scoring 4.7/5 compared to EasyMarkets’ 3.4/5, the choice ultimately depends on whether you value cost certainty or lower overall spreads and a wider product range. The following sections provide a detailed Japan-specific comparison to help you decide.
| Instrument | EasyMarkets | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | XM Group |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | XM Group |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | XM Group |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | XM Group |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $25 | $5 | EasyMarkets |
For Japan traders focusing on JPY pairs like USD/JPY, XM Group offers variable spreads starting from 0.0 pips on the Zero account, with a commission of $3.50 per lot. The Standard account has spreads from 1.0 pips with no commission. EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads of approximately 1.2 pips on USD/JPY and 1.5 pips on EUR/JPY, which are higher than XM’s variable spreads during liquid market hours. Over a typical trading volume of 10 lots per month, XM Group’s lower spreads can save significant cost, especially for high-frequency or scalping strategies. However, EasyMarkets’ fixed spreads provide predictability, which may suit Japan traders who trade during volatile news events.
| Account Type | EasyMarkets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $25 | $5 |
| Entity / Asset | EasyMarkets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Japan (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:1000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:1000 |
| 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 | XM Group | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | XM Group |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | EasyMarkets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Japan traders widely use MetaTrader, and both brokers support it. EasyMarkets offers MT4 and its proprietary web platform designed for simplicity, with features like deal cancellation and guaranteed stop loss. XM Group provides MT4, MT5, and a WebTrader, giving advanced charting and automated trading options. For Japan traders who value multiple terminal choices and high customisation, XM’s support of both MT4 and MT5 is beneficial. Mobile trading is covered by both, with XM offering a native app for iOS and Android. Language support includes Japanese on both platforms, though XM’s interface is slightly more polished for local users.
| Factor | EasyMarkets | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | XM Group |
| 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 |
EasyMarkets uses a hybrid model with fixed spreads and no dealing desk interference for most orders, offering guaranteed stop loss protection. XM Group employs market execution with variable spreads and no re-quotes, ensuring fast order processing. For Japan traders who scalpe or trade high-frequency strategies, XM’s execution speed (average 0.08 seconds) and lower latency from its Tokyo server location provide a clear advantage. EasyMarkets is suitable for traders who value price certainty over speed.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
EasyMarkets is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) and the Financial Services Authority of Seychelles. XM Group holds licenses from CySEC, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), and the International Financial Services Commission (IFSC) of Belize. Neither broker is directly regulated by the FSA Japan, meaning Japan traders do not receive local investor protection. For sophisticated traders who understand offshore regulation, both brokers provide negative balance protection and client fund segregation. However, XM Group’s multiple licenses (especially ASIC) offer a higher perceived trust level. Japan traders should verify that their trading activity complies with local tax and reporting obligations.
| Payment Method | EasyMarkets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | Visa/Mastercard and e-wallets near-instant to 1-2 business days; bank wire several days |
Depositing and withdrawing in JPY is straightforward at both brokers. EasyMarkets accepts Bank Transfer (minimum ¥10,000, free, 1-2 business days) and Credit Card (instant, minimum ¥5,000, free). Withdrawals follow similar methods, with bank transfers taking 1-3 days. XM Group also supports Bank Transfer (minimum ¥5,000, free, 1-2 days) and Credit Card (instant, minimum ¥5,000, free, no fees). Withdrawals via credit card are processed back to the same card within 1-5 days. For Japan traders who prefer fast access to funds, XM’s lower deposit minimum and slightly faster card withdrawal times give a slight edge. Both brokers process withdrawals in JPY, avoiding conversion fees.
| Islamic Account Feature | EasyMarkets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| 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 XM Group offer Islamic accounts (swap-free) for Japan Muslim traders who wish to comply with Sharia law. EasyMarkets allows a standard account to be converted upon request; no additional fees apply, but the account must be open for at least 30 days. XM Group automatically grants swap-free status on Standard and Micro accounts for clients from countries with significant Muslim populations, including Japan. No expiry or hidden charges are attached. For Japan traders, XM’s simpler activation process may be more convenient.
| Support Feature | EasyMarkets | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | EasyMarkets |
EasyMarkets provides support via live chat and email in English, Chinese, and other languages, but does not offer Japanese language support in its helpdesk. XM Group offers 24/7 multichannel support in Japanese, including a local Tokyo phone number, email, and live chat. For Japan traders who require assistance in their native language and around-the-clock coverage, XM Group clearly excels.
| Mobile Feature | EasyMarkets | XM Group | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | EasyMarkets | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | EasyMarkets |
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
Choose XM Group if you...
For Japan traders, particularly regulated sophisticated investors, XM Group emerges as the stronger choice with its 4.7/5 rating, lower spreads, broader platform support, and dedicated Japanese-language customer service. It offers more value for active traders who can benefit from its variable costs and high execution speed. EasyMarkets remains a solid alternative for those who value fixed spreads and risk management features like deal cancellation, albeit with a lower score (3.4/5). Neither broker is regulated by the FSA Japan, so traders should factor that into their decision. Both accept Bank Transfer and Credit Card in JPY, making account funding convenient. Consider your trading style and priority on cost vs. predictability when choosing.