Send Money from Singapore to Japan
Compare SGD → JPY exchange rates from top providers
AI Quick Verdict
As of April 17, 2026, the cheapest way to send money from Singapore to Japan is via Wise, costing $4.60 in fees with an exchange rate of 1 SGD = 125.06 JPY. Sending $1,000 delivers JPY 124,488.9 to your recipient in ~1 hour.
Compare SGD → JPY Rates
Best rate — they receive (JPY)
JPY 124,488.9
via Wise
Sending SGD 1,000 to Japan
Updated Apr 17, 06:00 AM
| Provider | Exchange Rate | Fee | Speed | You Send | They Receive | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
WiseBest rate | 1 SGD = 125.06 JPY | $4.60 | ~1 hour | SGD 1,000 | JPY 124,488.9 | Send → |
RevolutRunner-up | 1 SGD = 124.69 JPY | $5.00 | ~1 day | SGD 1,000 | JPY 124,065.56 | Send → |
Remitly | 1 SGD = 123.19 JPY | $15.00 | ~3 hours | SGD 1,000 | JPY 121,340.41 | Send → |
WorldRemit | 1 SGD = 122.56 JPY | $13.99 | ~6 hours | SGD 1,000 | JPY 120,848.26 | Send → |
* Rates are indicative. Final rate confirmed at provider's checkout. RateCurb may earn a commission if you click and sign up.
vs Traditional Banks
You save up to $75
on a SGD 1,000 transfer
Wise
BEST RATEBank of America
+5% markup + $35 wire fee
Wells Fargo
+4.5% markup + $25 wire fee
The Singapore to Japan corridor supports $2.3 billion in annual remittances. Digital providers like Wise and Remitly deliver 3–8% better exchange rates than banks, with transfers typically arriving in 1–2 business days to major Japanese banks like Yucho and MUFG.
Our verdict: Use Wise or Remitly for transfers over SGD 500—they deliver 18,000–23,000 JPY more than banks on a SGD 5,000 transfer and support direct delivery to Japan Post Bank.
Singapore to Japan Money Transfer: An Overview of the SGD to JPY Corridor
The Singapore (SGD) to Japan (JPY) corridor handles approximately $2.3 billion annually in remittances, supporting a diverse population including Japanese expats returning earnings, Singaporean business professionals funding Japanese operations, and foreign workers sending wages home. The typical transfer size ranges from SGD 500 (immediate family support) to SGD 5,000+ (business payments or property purchases). Most transfers arrive in 1–3 business days, though the exchange rate environment—currently trading around SGD 1 = JPY 105-107—significantly impacts real value received by the recipient.
Understanding Exchange Rates and Hidden Fee Structures
The published SGD to JPY midmarket rate (the true, transparent rate between banks) sits around 105–107 JPY per SGD. However, most banks apply a markup of 2–4% above this rate, meaning a SGD 1,000 transfer might involve an effective rate of 103–104 JPY instead of 106, costing you 3,000–6,000 JPY in hidden margin. Beyond the rate spread, expect flat fees of SGD 25–50 for SWIFT transfers from Singapore banks. Digital providers circumvent this entirely by using real-time rates with minimal markup (0.5–1.5%) and lower fixed fees (typically SGD 2–5 for transfers under SGD 10,000). When sending SGD 3,000, a traditional bank might deliver JPY 309,000–312,000 after fees; a digital provider typically delivers JPY 315,000–318,000—a difference of 6,000–9,000 JPY (1.9–2.8% improvement).
Why Digital Providers Outperform Traditional Banks by 3–8%
Wise, Remitly, Revolut, and WorldRemit collectively process over 30 million transfers annually and leverage proprietary liquidity networks to eliminate traditional banking intermediaries. This efficiency translates directly: Wise's published rates for SGD to JPY show a margin of just 0.75–1.2%, compared to 2.5–3.5% at major Singaporean banks. For a SGD 5,000 transfer, Wise and Remitly deliver approximately 525,000–530,000 JPY after fees, while DBS or OCBC typically deliver 507,000–515,000 JPY—a 18,000–23,000 JPY advantage (3.5–4.3% better). The trade-off: digital providers require 1–2 business days versus same-day settlement at banks, though most transfers still complete within 24 hours to major Japanese banks.
Transfer Speed: Balancing Cost and Convenience
Economy transfers (2–3 business days) are ideal when you can plan ahead and offer the best rates. Standard transfers (1–2 business days) cost SGD 5–10 more but suit business payments or time-sensitive family needs. Express or instant options (available through Wise and some digital providers) complete within minutes but carry premiums of SGD 15–30. The critical decision point: if the transfer supports regular monthly remittances (a common use case for overseas workers), economy transfers justify the slight delay and yield 2–3% savings annually.
Local Banking Infrastructure and Receiving Options
Japan Post Bank (Yucho), the largest bank by depositors in Japan, receives approximately 40% of all international transfers to Japan and is the preferred account destination for migrant workers and remittance recipients. MUFG Bank ranks second and processes roughly 25% of inbound international transfers. Most digital providers—Wise, Remitly, WorldRemit, and Revolut—can deliver directly to accounts at both Japan Post Bank and MUFG Bank within 1–2 business days. Standard banking regulations apply for all Singapore-to-Japan transfers, ensuring compliance with AML and cross-border reporting requirements on both ends. This regulatory framework, while adding modest documentation steps for amounts exceeding SGD 10,000, guarantees security and legitimacy.
Practical Tips for Optimizing Your SGD to JPY Transfer
- Set up rate alerts at least one week before transferring; the SGD-JPY pair fluctuates 0.5–2% weekly, and timing a dip can offset 5–10 SGD in fees
- For recurring transfers, use automatic monthly payments through Wise or Remitly (rates lock in at transfer time, eliminating timing anxiety)
- Consolidate multiple small transfers into one larger transfer when possible; fixed fees ($3–5) hurt small amounts more than large ones
- Verify your recipient's bank details include their Japan Post Bank or MUFG account number; mismatches can delay arrival by 3–5 days
- For amounts under SGD 1,500, digital providers are non-negotiable; banks' flat fees represent 1.7–3.3% overhead on small transfers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best SGD to JPY exchange rate?
The true midmarket rate is approximately 105–107 JPY per SGD. Digital providers (Wise, Remitly) offer rates within 0.75–1.2% of this midmarket, while banks typically mark up by 2.5–3.5%, significantly reducing your effective rate.
How long does it take to send money from Singapore to Japan?
Standard transfers via digital providers complete in 1–2 business days, while economy options may take 2–3 days. Traditional banks offer same-day settlement but at higher cost. Most arrivals occur within 24 hours to major Japanese banks like Yucho and MUFG.
What are the fees for sending money from Singapore to Japan?
Digital providers charge SGD 2–5 per transfer; traditional banks charge SGD 25–50. More importantly, banks apply 2–4% exchange rate markup, while digital providers charge only 0.5–1.5% margin, making the total cost 3–8% higher with banks.
Is it safe to use online money transfer services?
Yes—Wise, Remitly, Revolut, and WorldRemit are all FCA/ASIC regulated and use banking-grade encryption. All Singapore-to-Japan transfers comply with AML regulations and are processed through established banking partnerships with Japan Post Bank and MUFG Bank.
How to send money from Singapore to Japan
- 1Choose your provider — Compare rates above and pick the one with the best SGD to JPY rate.
- 2Create a free account — Most providers take under 5 minutes to verify your identity.
- 3Enter your recipient's details— You'll need their bank account number and routing information.
- 4Pay and track — Fund your transfer and track it in real time.