How to Buy Monero (XMR) in Japan
No, you cannot buy Monero through any licensed Japanese exchange.
Not available on regulated platforms
The FSA's approved coin list excludes all privacy coins, and Monero has been off Japanese platforms since 2018. Holding Monero personally is not specifically illegal, but as with Zcash, getting it requires using overseas platforms or self-custody routes, both of which sit in regulatory grey area. The 2026 reforms do not change this picture for Monero.
What to know
Common questions
Is it legal to hold Monero in Japan?
Personal ownership is not specifically illegal. Licensed Japanese exchanges cannot offer Monero, but Japanese residents holding Monero acquired elsewhere are generally not prosecuted.
Where would a Japanese resident actually buy Monero?
Most use overseas platforms or self-custody routes: buy Bitcoin somewhere accessible, withdraw to a wallet, and atomic-swap to Monero. None of these are FSA-supervised, so you accept that regulatory grey area.
Can I send yen to a foreign exchange to buy Monero?
Difficult. Japanese banks are cautious about transfers to crypto firms, especially unlicensed foreign ones. Most Japanese Monero buyers route through Bitcoin bought via channels that are easier to fund.
What tax do I owe on Monero gains?
Most likely the older progressive income tax rates, which can run up to 55% for high earners. The new 20% flat rate does not apply to assets outside the FSA-licensed system. Confirm with a Japanese tax advisor.
Will the FSA ever allow Monero on Japanese exchanges?
Very unlikely. The exclusion is based on AML compliance concerns about untraceable transactions, which is exactly Monero's design. That gap has not narrowed, and the 2026 reforms reinforce traceability requirements.
Legal & regulatory detail
FSA licensing required for crypto exchanges, restricted permitted coin list (no privacy coins). April 2026 reclassification to financial instruments with 20% flat tax, pending full implementation dates.
Another option
ChangeNOW is a non-custodial swap service. Swap ZEC to XMR directly to a wallet you control, no account required. Check local regulations before deciding whether to use it.
Protect your privacy. Encrypt your connection.
Your ISP logs every domain you visit. Shielded transactions protect what happens on-chain. Your ISP sees what happens before you ever open a wallet. These are two different layers, and coin privacy doesn't fix connection privacy. Proton VPN encrypts that traffic so your ISP sees only that you're connected, not what you're reading. Swiss-based, independently audited, open-source.