Send Money from Japan to the Philippines: Yen to Peso Providers Compared

Japan has a big, settled Filipino community: caregivers, factory and construction workers, English teachers, spouses and their kids. Sending yen home has its own rules (hello, My Number) and its own local players you won't find in US comparison sites. This page puts them side by side.

JPY to PHP today

The yen is quoted per 1 JPY, so the number looks small. It's easier to think in 10,000 yen: multiply the rate by 10,000 to see how many pesos 10,000 yen buys at the reference rate. Providers will pay a little less than the reference and may add a fee.

Provider estimates

Who sends from Japan to the Philippines

Japanese remittance companies

These are registered with Japan's Financial Services Agency through the local finance bureaus as funds transfer service providers. Several offer support in Tagalog or English.

• SBI Remit. A long-running Japanese remittance company. It's on GCash's Japan partner list; its GCash service requires the recipient's account to be fully verified, and membership requires identity verification with a Japanese Residence Card.
• Kyodai Remittance. On GCash's Japan partner list. It runs campaigns such as fee promos to GCash; check its current campaign page.
• Seven Bank. Its international money transfer service has a Tagalog page and an app. Seven Bank says you need to register your My Number, with your Residence Card and a document showing your My Number. Many people use Seven Bank ATMs at 7-Eleven stores to fund transfers.
• Kabayan Remit and others on GCash's list also serve the Filipino community.

Global apps

• Remitly. Run in Japan by Remitly Japan K.K., registered as a Type II funds transfer service provider with the Kanto Local Finance Bureau (No. 00077). It pays to Philippine banks, GCash, Maya, cash pickup and home delivery in some areas. In Japan you can pay from a bank account or with a debit card; Remitly says credit cards are accepted in all its sending countries except Japan. See our Remitly review.
• Wise. Run by Wise Payments Japan K.K. (Kanto Local Finance Bureau registration No. 00040). Transfers up to 1,000,000 yen fall under its Type 2 funds transfer licence; above that, under its Type 1 licence. Wise converts at the mid-market rate with a separate fee and pays to Philippine banks and to GCash and Maya. See our Wise review.
• Western Union, MoneyGram, Ria and WorldRemit also appear on GCash's Japan partner list.

My Number and ID: what Japan requires

Japan's rules on overseas remittances are stricter than many countries:

• Residence Card (zairyu card) to verify your identity and status of residence.
• My Number (individual number). Japanese remittance companies are required to collect it before you can send abroad. Expect to submit your My Number card, or a notification card or residence record showing the number, during registration.
• Purpose of the transfer and your relationship to the recipient, especially for larger amounts.
• Reports to the tax office for larger overseas transfers. This is routine paperwork by the provider, not a tax on your remittance.

When your Residence Card is renewed or your status changes, update it in your remittance app. An expired card on file is a common reason for blocked transfers.

Best option by payout method

Bank deposit

Wise and Remitly are strong for bank deposits to BDO, BPI, Metrobank and other banks. Japanese companies like SBI Remit also deposit to most Philippine banks, often with a fixed fee per transfer. Compare the pesos received for your usual amount.

GCash

GCash's official Japan partner list (checked 21 Oct 2026) includes Remitly, SBI Remit, Kyodai Remittance, Kabayan Remit, WorldRemit, Western Union, MoneyGram and Ria. Wise also pays to GCash. The recipient's GCash must be fully verified, and SBI Remit specifically requires it. See send money to GCash from abroad.

Cash pickup

Remitly, Western Union, MoneyGram, Ria and Japanese remittance companies with Philippine partners offer cash pickup at pawnshops and remittance centres. Your recipient brings valid ID and the reference number.

"How to send money to GCash from Japan without a card"

This is a common question because some apps ask for a card. Options that don't need a credit card:

• Bank account funding. Remitly and Wise both accept payment from a Japanese bank account.
• ATM funding. Some Japanese remittance services let you fund a registered transfer at ATMs; Seven Bank's service is built around its ATMs.
• Branch or counter payment at Japanese remittance companies that have offices in Filipino community areas.

Each service's app explains the funding methods it accepts. You'll still need your Residence Card and My Number to register.

Fees and rates: what to compare

Japanese remittance companies often charge a fixed fee per transfer and set their own exchange rate. Apps like Wise show a fee and use the mid-market rate. To compare:

1. Enter the same yen amount in each service.
2. Note the pesos received.
3. Divide pesos received by total yen paid (amount plus fee) and compare it with today's reference rate above.

Worked example, round numbers only: if the reference were 0.4000 PHP per yen and you send 50,000 yen, App A with a 980 yen fee and a 0.3920 rate delivers 19,600 PHP for 50,980 yen paid. App B with a 0 yen fee and a 0.3870 rate delivers 19,350 PHP for 50,000 yen. App A delivers 250 PHP more even with the fee.

Sending large amounts from Japan

Japan's Payment Services Act splits money transfer companies into types. Type II providers, the most common kind, can handle transfers up to 1,000,000 yen each. Larger single transfers need a Type I licence (Wise says it holds one for transfers above 1,000,000 yen) or a bank. In practice:

• For a house payment, a car or tuition above 1,000,000 yen, check whether your provider allows that amount in one transfer, or split it over several transfers.
• Expect to explain the purpose and show where the money came from, such as bank statements or a retirement or bonus payment slip.
• Send to a Philippine bank account, not GCash, because wallets have much lower receiving limits.

Japanese bank vs remittance company

Japanese banks like the big city banks and Japan Post Bank can send overseas wires, but for yen to pesos they usually charge a sending fee, apply their own exchange rate and may involve intermediary bank charges. Some also require you to visit a branch. Remittance companies and apps are built for this route and usually deliver more pesos for typical monthly amounts. For very large sums, it's worth asking your bank for a quote anyway and comparing the pesos received.

Tips for Filipinos in Japan

• Fixed fees favour fewer, bigger transfers. If your service charges a flat fee, sending once a month is cheaper than weekly.
• Save your recipients in two services. It takes seconds to check both quotes before payday, and the cheaper one changes more often than you'd expect.
• Bonus season: if you send part of your summer or winter bonus home, compare providers again; rates and promos change.
• Time zone: Japan is one hour ahead of the Philippines, so transfers made in the Japanese morning reach Philippine banks during their business hours.
• Keep Japanese and Philippine holidays in mind for bank deposits. GCash credits are usually instant any day.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest way to send money from Japan to the Philippines?

It depends on your amount and payout method. Compare Wise and Remitly with a Japanese remittance company like SBI Remit or Kyodai for the same yen amount, and choose the one with the most pesos received. Fixed-fee services are often better for larger amounts.

Do I need My Number to send money from Japan?

Yes. Japanese remittance companies are required to collect your My Number before you can send money abroad, along with your Residence Card for identity verification.

Can I send money from Japan to GCash?

Yes. GCash's official Japan partners include Remitly, SBI Remit, Kyodai Remittance, Kabayan Remit, WorldRemit, Western Union, MoneyGram and Ria, and Wise pays to GCash too. The recipient's GCash should be fully verified.

Can I use a credit card to send money from Japan?

Remitly doesn't accept credit cards from Japan. Other services set their own rules. Paying from your bank account is usually cheaper anyway, and it avoids cash advance charges from your card issuer.

Is Remitly or Wise licensed in Japan?

Yes. Remitly Japan K.K. is registered with the Kanto Local Finance Bureau (No. 00077) as a Type II funds transfer service provider, and Wise Payments Japan K.K. is registered with the Kanto Local Finance Bureau (No. 00040).

What does my family need to receive the money?

For bank deposits and GCash, nothing extra; the money lands in their account. For cash pickup, a valid Philippine government ID and the reference number, with a name that matches the one you entered.

How long does it take?

Transfers to GCash and major banks often arrive the same day, sometimes within minutes. Bank-funded transfers and deposits to smaller banks can take longer, and Japanese or Philippine holidays can add a day.