🇺🇸 Japan to USA Transfer Comparison — ¥100,000
| Service | Recipient gets (USD) | Fee | Speed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏆 Wise | ~$637 | ~¥500–700 | Instant–1 day | Best rate |
| Revolut | ~$634 | Free (under limit) | 1–2 days | Regular senders |
| OFX | ~$628 | ¥0 (rate markup) | 1–2 days | Large transfers |
| Western Union | ~$627 | Varies | Minutes | Emergencies |
| Japanese Bank | ~$609 | ¥3,000–5,000 | 2–5 days | Avoid for regular use |
Zelle does NOT work for Japan to USA transfers
Zelle requires both sender and recipient to have US bank accounts. It does not support international transfers. If your recipient asks you to use Zelle, use Wise or Revolut instead and send to their US bank account — the result is the same for them.
📋 What Your Recipient Needs (USA)
🏦 For bank transfer (ACH — most common)
- Full name (as on account)
- Routing number (9-digit ABA number — identifies the bank)
- Account number
- Account type (checking or savings)
- Bank name
Common routing numbers: Chase 021000021 · Bank of America 026009593 · Wells Fargo 121000248
Wise has US local bank details — use for ACH, not SWIFT
When you have a Wise account, you get US local bank details (routing + account number). Your recipient in Japan can send money via ACH — which is free and arrives in 1–2 business days — instead of an expensive SWIFT wire. This is the cheapest option for regular transfers.
🏆 Best Service by Situation
| Your situation | Best service | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best overall rate | Wise | Real mid-market rate, ~$637 per ¥100,000 |
| Regular monthly transfer under ¥750K | Revolut (weekdays) | Free exchange within monthly limit |
| Large transfer $10,000+ | Wise or OFX | No per-transfer limit issues |
| Emergency / urgent | Western Union | Minutes to US bank account |
🏆 Wise — best for Japan to USA
✓ Real mid-market JPY/USD rate
✓ ACH delivery (free for recipient)
✓ 64% of transfers arrive in under 20 seconds
✓ US local bank details included
⚠️ USA-Specific Tips
📋
Transfers over $10,000 may trigger reporting
US banks are required to report cash transactions over $10,000 to FinCEN. This is routine — not a problem for legitimate transfers. Keep records of your purpose (salary, savings, etc.).
🇺🇸
US tax on foreign income — check FBAR requirements
US citizens living in Japan must file US taxes on worldwide income (including Japanese salary). If you have Japanese bank accounts with over $10,000 at any point, you may need to file an FBAR. Consult a US tax advisor familiar with expats.
🇺🇸 Japan → USA
Send money to the USA at the real exchange rate
~$637 per ¥100,000 with Wise. That's $28 more than a Japanese bank on every transfer.