🇯🇵 Pay Suppliers in Japan
Pay Japanese suppliers for automotive parts, electronics, machinery, precision equipment
T+0 (2.3s avg within Unicorn network). Save 82% vs traditional banks.
What you need to send money to Japan
What details do I need to pay suppliers in Japan?
To pay suppliers in Japan you need the recipient's Bank Code + Branch + Account (4-digit bank code, 3-digit branch code, 7-digit account), plus account number and beneficiary name. Payments typically settle in 2.3 seconds and cost 0.5% FX spread + £5 per payment.
How fast are payments to Japan?
Payments to Japan settle in an average of 2.3 seconds when using local rails such as Zengin System, compared to 2–3 days via traditional SWIFT.
How much does it cost to send money to Japan?
Unicorn Currencies charges 0.5% FX spread and £5 per payment. You save about 82% versus banks (e.g. £505 vs £2835 on a £100k transaction).
Cost Comparison: Banks vs Unicorn Currencies
See how much you save on £100,000 payment to Japan
| Cost Item | Traditional Banks | Unicorn Currencies |
|---|---|---|
| FX Spread | 2.8% | 0.5% |
| Payment Fee | £35 | £5 |
| Total Cost (£100,000) | £2,835 | £505 |
| YOUR SAVINGS | N/A | £2,330 (82%) |
| Settlement Time | 2-3 days (SWIFT) | T+0 (2.3s avg within Unicorn network) |
Local Payment Rails in Japan
Avoid expensive SWIFT fees. We use local payment systems in Japan for faster, cheaper settlement.
Zengin System
Japanese domestic bank transfer network, widely used
PayPay for Business
QR code instant payment system, popular with SMEs
BOJ-NET
Bank of Japan RTGS for large-value payments
Who Uses This Payment Corridor
Key Industries in Japan
- Automotive
- Electronics
- Machinery
- Robotics
- Precision Manufacturing
Average Transaction: £80k-£400k
Typical Monthly Volume: £500k-£5M
Popular Supplier Types
- Automotive parts (Toyota City, Yokohama)
- Electronics components (Tokyo, Osaka)
- Machinery manufacturers (Nagoya, Kobe)
- Precision instruments (Hamamatsu, Kyoto)
What You Need to Know: Japan Payments
Regulatory Considerations
- Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act compliance
- Japan Customs documentation for goods imports
- Consumption Tax (10%) documentation
- JFSA (Financial Services Agency) oversight
Payment Tips for Japan
- Japan = Quality manufacturing, automotive/electronics leader
- Zengin System standard for domestic payments
- Strong quality control - documentation critical
- Relationship-based business culture - long-term partnerships valued
Why Choose Unicorn for Japan Payments
Local Rails, Not SWIFT
We use Zengin System and other local systems in Japan. Avoid 3-4% SWIFT fees and 2-3 day delays.
82% Lower Costs
Save £2,330 on every £100,000 payment. On £500k-£5M monthly volume, save up to £69,900 annually.
Bank of Canada Supervised
Registered Payment Service Provider (PSP) and FINTRAC MSB. Full regulatory compliance for Japan payments.
Real-Time FX Tracking
Upload supplier invoices in JPY. See live P/L as GBP/JPY rates move. Lock rates for 15 seconds before committing.
£1,000,000+ Paying Suppliers in Japan? Save 82%
Enterprise treasury for import/export businesses with T+0 (2.3s avg within Unicorn network) settlement to Japan
For businesses with high annual FX volume. Not consumer transfers.