Every Friday night, after the last train leaves Shinjuku, Suman-daiko queues at the ATM to wire JPY to his mother in Kathmandu. He’s not alone—millions of foreign residents in Japan send money to Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the Philippines. Yet most still over-pay by ¥1,500–¥3,000 per transfer and wait 2–3 days longer than necessary.
This guide shows you how to keep more of your hard-earned yen in your family’s hands—without hidden charges, paperwork headaches, or “surprise” receiving fees.
Why Every Yen Counts When You Support Family
- Tuition deadlines: School fees in Manila or Dhaka rarely wait for bank clearing days.
- Medical emergencies: A sudden hospital bill in Colombo can wipe out a day’s wage back home.
- Festival seasons: Dashain, Diwali, Eid, or Sinulog—money sent ahead of peak demand buys more rice, sweets, and bus tickets.
A difference of ¥5 in the exchange rate (JPY–NPR/INR/LKR/BDT/PHP) on ¥50,000 equals ¥2,500 lost—enough for a week of groceries for a family of four in rural Sylhet or Cebu.
The 5 Pain Points Foreign Residents Face
- Opaque bank margins—MUFG and SMBC add 3–4% on top of the mid-market rate.
- Flat ¥2,000–¥4,000 wire charges even for ¥20,000 remittances.
- “Priority” fees at convenience store kiosks that still take 48h.
- Receiving-bank deductions—₱250 in the Philippines, ₹500 in India, ₨600 in Nepal.
- Language barriers when something goes wrong and the call-center is only in Japanese.
7 Providers That Specialise in Japan→South-Asia Corridors
Below are the only Japan-based operators licensed for all five corridors (Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Philippines). We compared them on the same morning (09:30 JST, 30 Oct 2025) for a ¥50,000 transfer:
| Provider | FX Rate (¥1=) | Fee (¥) | Net to Receiver | Minutes to Credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | NPR 0.980 | 380 | NPR 48,620 | 15 |
| SmileRemit | NPR 0.968 | 0 | NPR 48,400 | 20 |
| JpRemit | NPR 0.965 | 500 | NPR 47,825 | 30 |
| BrastelRemit | NPR 0.962 | 390 | NPR 47,710 | 25 |
| CityRemit | NPR 0.960 | 0 | NPR 48,000 | 60 |
| JapanRemit | NPR 0.958 | 700 | NPR 47,100 | 45 |
| KyodaiRemit | NPR 0.956 | 500 | NPR 47,550 | 35 |
Snapshot only; rates change every 90 seconds.
Compare live numbers right now with RatesRemit's Comparison Tool
How to Pick the Most Caring Channel (Step-by-Step)
1. Define “What Matters Most” for Your Family
- Speed → tuition due tomorrow?
- Cash pick-up → no bank account in the province?
- Bank deposit → parents prefer autopay for rent?
- Mobile wallet → GCash, bKash, eSewa, Paytm?
Write your top two needs on a sticky note; you’ll filter providers in under a minute.
2. Check the Real Cost, Not Just the Fee
Total cost = (Mid-market rate – offered rate) × send amount + upfront fee + receiving charge
Example:
Wise advertises ¥380 fee but gives the mid-market rate—often cheaper overall than a “zero-fee” operator shaving 2% off the FX.
3. Verify Corridor Coverage
- Wise: Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Philippines (bank & mobile).
- SmileRemit: Nepal, India, Philippines (bank); Sri Lanka (cash).
- JpRemit: All five; cash in Bangladesh & Philippines.
- BrastelRemit: All five; strong cash network in rural Mindanao.
- CityRemit: India, Nepal, Philippines; weekend desk at Shibuya.
- JapanRemit: Nepal, Bangladesh, Philippines; Nepali call-center staff.
- KyodaiRemit: All five; Sinhala hot-line on weekdays.
4. Open the Account Before Emergencies
- Residence-card upload (both sides) – do it tonight while your Wi-Fi is stable.
- My-number card photo – saves ¥1,500 on-the-spot verification later.
- SmileRemit & CityRemit accept driver’s licence + passport if you still lack a My-number card.
5. Schedule Transfers Ahead of Festival Spikes
- Dashain (Nepal) and Diwali (India) rates drop 1–1.5% 48h before the holiday.
- Lock a rate on Wise’s 48-hour fixed transfer or JpRemit’s “Rate-Protect” to avoid last-minute slippage.
Real-Life Scenarios & Cheapest Combos
Scenario 1: Send ¥30,000 to Mum’s eSewa Wallet in Pokhara—Today
Best: Wise
- Rate: 1 JPY = 0.980 NPR
- Fee: ¥280
- Mum receives: ₨29,120 in 8 minutes
Runner-up: SmileRemit (zero fee but 0.968 rate → ₨29,040 in 20 min).
Scenario 2: Cash Pick-up for Cousin’s Wedding Gift in Davao
Best: BrastelRemit
- 1 JPY = 0.410 PHP, fee ¥390
- Receiver gets ₱20,110 at MLhuillier within 15 min, no extra charge.
Tip: Brastel’s coupon code “WEDDING2025” waives the fee on transfers ≥¥50,000 (valid till 31 Dec).
Scenario 3: Monthly Rent Support ₹50,000 to Parents’ SBI Account
Best: CityRemit
- Zero fee + 0.620 INR rate → ₹31,000 credited same day (if sent before 13:00 JST).
Wise is close second (¥420 fee, 0.626 rate → ₹31,055), but CityRemit wins on no paperwork after one-time registration.
Pro Tips to Send Money Like a Pro (and Still Feel the Warmth)
- Batch small amounts – two ¥25,000 transfers can be cheaper than one ¥50,000 if you stay inside a provider’s fee-free tier.
- Use convenience-store printers – Seven-Bank ATMs partner with JpRemit & KyodaiRemit; print the barcode, pay cash, no card needed.
- Turn on rate alerts – Wise & SmileRemit push notifications when JPY hits your target (e.g., 1 JPY ≥ 0.99 NPR).
- Share the MTCN smartly – For cash pick-up, send the reference number via Viber/Signal, then the last two digits by SMS to avoid fraud.
- Keep receipts for tax office – If you claim foreign-dependent deduction (扶養控除), print the annual statement each January.
Common Questions from Tokyo to Fukuoka
Q: My visa expires in 3 months—can I still open an account?
A: Yes. All seven providers accept valid residence card ≥30 days. SmileRemit and JapanRemit even let you register 28 days before expiry if you upload proof of renewal appointment.
Q: Why was my transfer “under review” for 24h?
A: First-time large amounts (≥¥200,000) trigger compliance checks. Upload a payslip or bank ledger via chat to clear within 2h.
Q: Can I cancel after I press “Send”?
A: Wise: yes, if receiver hasn’t accepted. BrastelRemit/JpRemit: cancel within 30 min via phone. CityRemit: once cash is printed at kiosk, no recall.
Your Next 10-Minute Action Plan
- Click here to open RatesRemit's Comparison Tool in a new tab.
- Enter ¥ amount, choose destination country, tick bank vs cash.
- Sort by “Net received”—top row is your cheapest today.
- Tap “Go to provider”, upload ID, book the transfer.
- Screenshot the confirmation and WhatsApp it to your family—they’ll sleep better tonight.
Final Word: Care is a Click Away
Supporting family back home isn’t just about the money—it’s about reliability, respect, and the few extra rupees or pesos that buy school books or a better internet bundle. Compare once, save every month, and turn your Friday-night remittance into the most caring message you can send:
“I’m here, and I’ve got you covered.”