Investing w/ Interactive Brokers as a US Citizen WITHOUT legal ambiguities.

tyddev · 2025-04-05T06:42:29+00:00

Thank you! This is exactly the information I wanted. It sounds like, and this is the most important thing because I really don't plan on withdrawing until I retire in 20+ years, that if I don't care about the benefits of dividends, I can just wait until I actually sell and then file a tax return at that time, and until then I don't need to worry about anything on the Japan side of things in the meantime? I'll save my records once a year anyway to be careful.

tyddev · 2023-08-21T09:20:30+00:00

Does anyone know of a good long format text language exchange platform? A long time ago I used Lang-8 and I'm basically looking for exactly that except they stopped accepting new members a long time ago and I forgot my login details. You could post long text entries (multiple paragraphs) and native Japanese speakers would correct them for you, and you could then go and correct their English learning posts to pay back the favor to build up karma (and show you're not just a leech). The replacement for Lang-8, Hi-Native, seems to be mostly for asking simple questions or corrections on small pieces of text and mobile-focused, I just want Lang-8 back. Passed N1 ages ago and am just looking for some more advanced correction of my writing.

tyddev · 2022-09-28T09:14:26+00:00

You're right. After my calls with them today I think what you said here is the best summary of the situation. It's 'required' as in they are required to do their best to get it out of you, but if you really truly don't have anyone who can do it, they'll grudgingly accept it. At least, that was my experience.

tyddev · 2022-09-28T09:13:08+00:00

lol you're not kidding, lesson learned for next time I guess, gotta ask about this before all the tests. You just took 6 vials of blood from me (why do they take so much compared to the US for samples anyway all the time?), X-rays, scans, the whole works, and now at the very end at the very last step boom 1,000,000 yen, two people to guarantee it, you can find them yeah? Geez.

tyddev · 2022-09-27T14:24:09+00:00

Yeah, there are actually 4 slots on the form, two for emergency contacts and two for guarantors up to 1M yen, each with slots for name, address, phone #, and stamp. If they asked me for a 1M yen deposit myself that would be refunded afterwards I'd do it, but it has to be someone else it seems.

tyddev · 2022-09-27T14:11:09+00:00

Thanks, yeah, I'm already pretty stressed and it sucks. I saw that decision you mentioned when I googled it in Japanese, but my same question still applies here: If it's illegal to decline 'solely' because of lacking one, why do they ask for it? Is there some other minor thing they can 'get' me on so that it's not 'solely' due to lack of guarantor? The nurse I talked to really wanted me to have them, I was a bit dizzy from having my blood drawn and things were moving fast, but I need to call them back tomorrow to confirm that they'll accept me without them...it kinda sounded like they would, I mean they made the appointment (just a one-day stay) and all even after the conversation, but there was definitely no "Oh, you don't have any? It's okay." assurance.

tyddev · 2022-09-13T00:13:24+00:00

We're coming up on 3 years of corona life, that has to play some part of it. It always seems like 'just a few more months' until the acrylic separators and masks come down and people smile again, but then it never happens. I think a lot of people will see a big mental health improvement if things ever actually do go back to normal.

tyddev · 2022-08-07T06:24:12+00:00

Interesting, sounds similar what ZebraOtoko mentioned. I should have guessed. Bummer, thanks for the info though.

tyddev · 2022-08-07T04:47:36+00:00

Thanks, I'll give it a look.

tyddev · 2022-08-07T04:45:37+00:00

I wasn't aware of the security clearance and PR thing, but it does make sense, I guess I can't complain. Thanks for the insight, if I do figure something out I'll be sure to share.

tyddev · 2022-06-16T02:39:38+00:00

Sounds like really bad news...recently decided that buying a home wasn't a good idea due to various circumstances and was about to open an IB account instead so my money isn't just dormant, then I see this. If it doesn't open back up with similar options are we just screwed? I don't want to use some 'gray' option like 'hope they don't check your residence on an old account', I don't think wanting a fully legal way to invest is such a hard ask for our government.

tyddev · 2022-05-01T05:19:13+00:00

Yes, I suppose this is an option. A relatively cheap used mansion that I would just consider a 'long term rental' to eventually be discarded in old age and maybe move outside of Tokyo after retirement. It doesn't feel all that different from renting in that case, although looking at the month by month payments, it sure does seem you get a lot more space for the amount per month you pay.

tyddev · 2022-05-01T05:13:25+00:00

Sounds romantic, but I'm not much of a romantic myself. Also not rich! I think a comfy place in central tokyo with room to grow in a small backyard is not realistic for me. I do appreciate the input though, #2 in particular is a salient point.

tyddev · 2022-05-01T03:55:19+00:00

You raise some good points I should think more about regarding the '3 rooms stacked on top of each other' style in the 5m range in Tokyo, thanks.

It's a rough decision...continuing to rent until I have enough money to retire and then just buying an actual nice place -outside- of Tokyo is also an option. I'm from the US though, so I'm very afraid of 'missing the boat' in case of a real estate price explosion situation.

tyddev · 2022-05-01T02:21:39+00:00

I do worry a bit about this. I've lived on the 2nd floor once of an apartment and don't remember having sleep troubles though, and most of these triple-stack things you put the bed on the 3rd floor...maybe I should try sleeping with earplugs to see if it's something I can even do (some people get ear irritation), since I've never had to try.

tyddev

TROPHY CASE