Living in Japan and need to support family, pay tuition, or settle a business invoice in Sri Lanka?
You’re not alone—tens of thousands of Sri Lankan residents in Japan send over USD 200 million home every year.
Yet most people still over-pay by ¥1,000–¥3,500 per transfer simply because they don’t know which service is cheapest today.
This guide fixes that.
We’ll walk you through:
- Exact fees & exchange-rate margins for JPY → LKR with 7 Japan-licensed remit brands
- Step-by-step instructions (with screenshots tips) for each provider
- How to avoid 3 common “hidden” costs that eat into LKR payouts
- A 5-minute checklist you can reuse every time the rupee moves
Bookmark it, share it, and compare live quotes anytime with RatesRemit's Comparison Tool.
Why JPY→LKR is Tricky (and Expensive) if You Pick the Wrong Door
- Low global trading volume
LKR is not a major currency, so banks give poor rates and add 2-4 % FX mark-up. - Double-fee structure
Many operators charge you ¥1,500–¥2,500 in Japan and LKR 500–1,500 in Sri Lanka. - Weekend lag
Sri Lanka’s banking system is closed Saturday & Sunday; if your remit partner doesn’t have local payout float, money sits idle for 48 h+.
Bottom line: the “zero-fee” banner ad can still cost you ₨5,000–₨15,000 less on a ¥50,000 transfer once you factor in mark-ups.
The Only 7 Japan → Sri Lanka Remit Brands You Should Consider
(All hold FSA Japan fund-transfer licenses and offer LKR bank deposit or cash pick-up.)
| Provider | Fee (¥) | Typical FX mark-up | Speed | Max per transfer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | 0.35-0.65 % of amount | ~0.4 % | 1-4 h | ¥1 million |
| SmileRemit | ¥990 flat | ~1.8 % | Same day* | ¥500 k |
| JpRemit | ¥1,490 | ~2.1 % | Next day | ¥2 million |
| BrastelRemit | ¥1,990 | ~2.3 % | 1-2 d | ¥1 million |
| CityRemit | ¥1,200 | ~2.0 % | Same day* | ¥700 k |
| JapanRemit | ¥1,990 | ~2.5 % | 1-3 d | ¥500 k |
| KyodaiRemit | ¥1,490 | ~2.2 % | Next day | ¥1 million |
*Same-day only if you remit before 11:00 JST and fund with Japan Post Bank / Rakuten instant transfer.
How to Choose in 3 Minutes (Real Example)
Scenario: Send ¥100,000 → LKR on Tuesday morning.
- Check mid-market rate on Google: 1 JPY = 2.18 LKR → ideal 218,000 LKR.
- Collect live quotes:
| Provider | You pay (¥) | Fee | Rate given | Recipient gets | Loss vs. ideal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | 100,350 | 350 | 2.175 | 217,500 LKR | 500 LKR |
| SmileRemit | 100,990 | 990 | 2.14 | 214,000 LKR | 4,000 LKR |
| JpRemit | 101,490 | 1,490 | 2.12 | 212,000 LKR | 6,000 LKR |
Winner: Wise—₨3,500 more arrives than the next-best option.
[Compare your own amount now → RatesRemit's Comparison Tool]
Step-by-Step: Opening & Sending with Each Provider
Wise (Online/App, English OK)
- Sign-up: Email + MyNumber card scan (3 min).
- Verify: Upload residence card (front & back) → approved in 2 h.
- Add yen: FPS transfer from any Japanese bank (free).
- Enter recipient:
- Bank name (e.g., Bank of Ceylon)
- Branch & account number (no SWIFT needed)
- Purpose: “Family support”
- Pay: Instant from Rakuten, Sony, Japan Post.
- Track: App shows when LKR credits (usually same evening).
Tip: Activate rate-alert; Wise locks the mid-rate for 48 h once you press “Send”.
SmileRemit (Japanese site, but English chat support)
- Register: Online form + upload ID.
- Initial deposit: ¥1 from your bank to confirm name match.
- Create order: Input LKR amount; fee ¥990 shown upfront.
- Fund: Via Seven Bank ATM or online banking.
- Notification: SMS to recipient when credited.
Pro: Cash pick-up at 200+ Sampath & Commercial Bank counters if receiver has no account.
JpRemit, BrastelRemit, CityRemit, JapanRemit, KyodaiRemit
All follow similar flow:
- Online or combini kiosk registration.
- MyNumber + residence card upload.
- Choose “Sri Lanka” → Bank deposit / cash pick-up.
- Pay at combini / online bank transfer.
- Receive tracking PIN → share with recipient.
Note: CityRemit & KyodaiRemit allow Sri Lanka NIC as ID for cash pick-up—handy if recipient lacks passport.
Hidden Costs Checklist (Print & Keep)
- Receiving bank fee
BOC, Commercial, Sampath charge LKR 200–500 for inward credit. Wise absorbs it; others don’t. - 13 % VAT on fee
Some Japanese providers add consumption tax on top of the advertised fee—watch for “+税” fine-print. - FX fluctuation buffer
If rate is “indicative”, final LKR can drop 1-2 %. Wise & SmileRemit lock rate at send time.
When Speed Beats Price (and Vice-versa)
| Emergency? | Use |
|---|---|
| Need same day (medical bill) | Wise (before 13:00 JST) or SmileRemit cash pick-up |
| Tomorrow morning | CityRemit (cuts off 15:00) |
| Can wait 2-3 days | JpRemit / KyodaiRemit—sometimes runs ¥500 coupon campaigns |
Tax & Legal FAQs for Sri Lankan Senders in Japan
Q. Do I need to declare remittance to Japan tax office?
A. No, personal remittance <¥1 million/transaction is non-taxable. Keep receipts only if you claim foreign tax credit.
Q. Can I send from my part-time job earnings?
A. Yes—just ensure your annual outbound stays within ¥3 million or you’ll trigger additional MyNumber verification.
Q. Will Sri Lanka impose capital controls?
A. As of Nov 2025, Central Bank of Sri Lanka allows free inflow; no 15% surcharge for personal remits.
5-Minute Action Plan for Your Next Transfer
- Open RatesRemit's Comparison Tool in one tab.
- Type exact yen you want to send.
- Sort by “Amount received”—highest LKR wins.
- Check cut-off time—if you missed today, schedule tomorrow morning.
- Register (if first time) → upload ID while you wait for bank transfer to go through.
Average user saves ₨4,800 (≈¥2,200) on very first switch.
Do it once, save every month.
Key Takeaways
- Wise is almost always cheapest & fastest for JPY→LKR, but SmileRemit beats it when Wise fee % > ¥990 flat.
- Cash pick-up is available at 200+ locations—handy in rural Sri Lanka.
- Always compare right before send—rates move 0.5-1 % daily.
- Use RatesRemit's Comparison Tool to lock the best deal in under a minute—no Japanese required.
Ready to give your family more rupees today?
[Compare live rates now → RatesRemit's Comparison Tool]
Disclaimer: Rates & fees accurate as of 20 Nov 2025. Providers may change terms without notice. Always confirm final quote before sending.
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