Speed Money Transfer Japan K.K.

What Speed Money Transfer Japan K.K. does

Speed Money Transfer Japan K.K. (SMTJ / SPEED Japan) is a privately held, Japan-licensed money transfer operator incorporated in 2011 and headquartered in Sumida-ku, Tokyo. The company is majority-owned by Filipino migrant workers and serves migrant worker communities in Japan—primarily Filipino, Indian, Indonesian, Nepali, and Vietnamese nationals—who need to send remittances to their home countries and, in the case of Filipinos, pay government contributions (SSS, Pag-IBIG, PhilHealth) and bills to over 100 Philippine-based merchants.

SMTJ's core product is the SPEED Mobile App (launched August 2018, available on iOS and Android), which supports self-serve remittance initiation, beneficiary management, wallet management, and a passcode-protected account. The app offers a higher exchange rate (e.g., JPY/PHP 0.3855) than walk-in channels (0.3835), creating a tiered-pricing incentive to migrate customers to self-serve. Funding mechanisms include bank transfer (Furikomi via 7-Bank and JP Bank), prepaid cards (Lawson Card, Yu Card), and JP Post 'Genkin Kakitome' (cash deposit to post office), enabling service to unbanked customers. Three walk-in branches (Kinshicho, Roppongi, Nagoya) handle over-the-counter transactions and member registration. As a Western Union agent, SMTJ extends effective reach to approximately 200 countries beyond its five direct corridors.

Revenue is generated through per-transaction remittance fees (transaction-fee model), foreign exchange spreads on currency conversion, and a fixed JPY 500 fee for government bill payments. The go-to-market is community-centric and product-led: customers are acquired through Filipino community events (Philippine Fiesta, Pistang Pilipino, Namaste India Festival), the 'Jeepney Press / Tita Lits' advice column, social media (Facebook), and a Shokai (referral) program paying 500 points per active referral. Regulatory standing is anchored by License No. 00011 from the Director General of Kanto Local Finance Bureau, completed Wolfsberg CBDDQ v1.4_3 (as of March 3, 2026), and an internal AML policy.

Name

Speed Money Transfer Japan K.K.

Legal name

Speed Money Transfer Japan K.K.

Website

https://smtj.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Speed Money Transfer Japan K.K. (SMTJ) is a Japan-licensed money transfer operator serving Filipino, Indian, Indonesian, Nepali, and Vietnamese migrant workers in Japan with a mobile app, three branches, and Western Union agent services across five direct corridors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cross-border Remittance Services

SIC

Finance Services (6199)

akta.pro primary industry

Consumer P2P International Remittances (FSAGAKAA)

Keywords

• Cross-border remittance
• Migrant money transfer
• Foreign exchange services
• Mobile remittance app
• Overseas remittance Japan

Headquarters

HQ city

Sumida-ku, Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Remittance Transaction Fees: The primary revenue stream is per-transaction remittance fees. For bill payments (SSS, Pag-IBIG, PhilHealth), a fixed fee of JPY 500 is charged. For standard remittances, a base fee plus percentage-based fee applies. No hidden charges are guaranteed.
2. Foreign Exchange Spread: Revenue is generated through the spread between the exchange rate offered to customers and the rate at which the company transacts. Higher mobile app exchange rates (JPY/PHP 0.3855) compared to walk-in rates (0.3835) indicate a tiered rate structure.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Speed Money Transfer Japan K.K. operates as a licensed Japanese money transfer operator (Kanto Local Finance Bureau No. 00011) that sends cross-border remittances from Japan to the Philippines, India, Nepal, Vietnam, and Indonesia through a mobile app, walk-in branch offices, bank transfer, and convenience-store prepaid card funding. As a Western Union agent, the company also extends remittance reach to approximately 200 countries worldwide. Its distinctive offering includes integrated Philippine government bill payments (SSS, Pag-IBIG, PhilHealth) and a reward points loyalty program for migrant worker customers.

Product overview

Speed Money Transfer Japan K.K. (SMTJ) operates as a money transfer service primarily serving migrant workers in Japan. The core offering is the SPEED Mobile App, which enables users to send remittances to the Philippines, India, Nepal, Vietnam, and Indonesia. The product portfolio includes multiple delivery methods: Cash Pick-up at designated centers and bank branches, Credit to Bank Accounts (with same-day credit for online partners), Bills Payment for Philippine government contributions (SSS, Pag-IBIG, PhilHealth), Door-to-Door delivery, and prepaid card funding mechanisms (Lawson Card, Yu Card). Additional funding options include JP Bank furikomi and 7-Bank transfers. The company also offers a Rewards Program and Shokai Referral Program for customer loyalty. Walk-in services are available at branches in Kinshicho, Roppongi, and Nagoya.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SPEED Mobile App Mobile application for iOS and Android enabling migrant workers in Japan to initiate remittances, manage beneficiaries, fund their wallet, monitor transactions, and use the exchange rate calculator. Available in English and Japanese, with passcode protection and exclusive higher exchange rates versus walk-in channels.
• Cash Pick-up Remittance delivery service that allows recipients in destination countries to collect cash at designated pick-up centers and bank branches.
• Credit to Bank Accounts Remittance service that credits remitted funds directly to recipient bank accounts, typically within 24 banking hours, with same-day credit for online bank partners.
• Bills Payment Service for paying Philippine government contributions (SSS, Pag-IBIG, PhilHealth) and bills to over 100 Philippine-based merchants from Japan, at a fixed JPY 500 fee per transaction.
• Western Union Agent Service Walk-in Western Union agent service offered at SMTJ branches, enabling outbound remittances to approximately 200 countries and territories worldwide through the Western Union network.
• Walk-in Branch Services Over-the-counter remittance transactions and member registration at SMTJ branch offices in Kinshicho (Sumida-ku), Roppongi (Minato-ku), and Nagoya.
• Lawson Card Prepaid funding mechanism that allows customers to deposit funds at any Lawson convenience store in Japan and use them for remittance transactions through the SPEED mobile app, enabling 24/7 remittance without a bank account.
• Door-to-Door Service Home delivery service for remittance proceeds, providing delivery of funds directly to the recipient's address.
• Bank Transfer / Furikomi Remittance funding mechanism allowing customers to initiate transactions by calling or messaging SMTJ and transferring funds via Japanese bank transfer (furikomi), supporting JP Bank, 7-Bank, and other Japanese banks.
• Rewards Program Loyalty program where customers earn points (1 point = 1 yen) on remittance transactions, redeemable to pay remittance fees. Points are valid for 180 days and cannot be combined with other promotions.
• Shokai Referral Program Referral program where existing members earn 500 reward points when they successfully refer new active remitters, available via walk-in, mobile app, or remittance form.

Quantifiable outcome

• Credit to bank accounts within 24 banking hours; same day credit for online bank partners
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• SSS (Social Security System) - Japan OfficeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 November 2025The SSS Japan Office opened at the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo on November 28, 2025. SPEED's Roppongi Branch is located within 3 minutes walking distance, enabling convenient SSS contribution and loan payments for Filipino migrant workers in Japan.
• Bank BRI (Bank Rakyat Indonesia)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 September 2022SPEED partnered with Bank BRI for its Indonesia remittance corridor. SPEED's team visited Bank BRI and the Kebun Training Center in Indonesia to develop and strengthen the partnership, enabling remittance credit to BRI bank accounts in Indonesia.
• Federal Bank LimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 October 2019SPEED partnered with Federal Bank Limited, a major Indian commercial bank headquartered at Aluva, Kerala, to launch its remittance service to India. The partnership enables instant credit for remittances to India for as low as JPY 500. Federal Bank provides the receiving bank infrastructure in India.
• Western UnioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSPEED operates as an official Western Union agent, enabling the company to offer remittance services to approximately 200 countries and territories worldwide. This partnership significantly extends SPEED's geographic reach beyond its 5 direct corridors (Philippines, India, Nepal, Vietnam, Indonesia).
• BPI (Bank of the Philippine Islands)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSPEED visited BPI (Bank of the Philippine Islands) during a trip to the Philippines alongside RCBC and SJCS. BPI is listed as a receiving bank for SPEED remittances in the Philippines.
• RCBC (Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSPEED visited RCBC during a Philippines trip. RCBC serves as a receiving bank for SPEED remittances, providing credit to RCBC accounts for beneficiaries in the Philippines.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Western Union: Western Union is the world's largest cross-border money transfer operator and the incumbent whose agency network SMTJ operates within. It overlaps directly with SMTJ on global remittance corridors and competitive pricing, and changes in its Japanese agent program directly affect SMTJ's reach.
• Wise: Wise is a digital cross-border payments platform serving consumer remittances globally, including Japan outbound. Its transparent fee structure and strong brand compete for digitally savvy migrant workers and Japanese customers sending money abroad.
• Remitly: Remitly is a digital-first remittance company with strong Philippines corridor focus and growing Japan presence. Its mobile-app-led model targets the same Filipino migrant segment as SMTJ and is likely to intensify competitive pressure on the Japan-Philippines corridor.
• WorldRemit: WorldRemit is a digital remittance platform offering mobile money, bank deposit, and cash pickup services across Africa, Asia, and LATAM corridors. It competes on similar mobile-first, multi-payout remittance experiences to SMTJ.
• MoneyGram: MoneyGram is a major global remittance network with active service from Japan to Philippines, India, and other Asian corridors. It competes for the same migrant-worker customer base as SMTJ via both digital and agent channels.
• Japan Post Bank International Remittance: Japan Post Bank (Yucho) is Japan's largest retail banking network, including a Genkin Kakitome remittance offering that SMTJ also routes through. While not a pure competitor, it is the default international remittance rail for many Japanese residents and an adjacent option for the same customers.

Others

• GCash: GCash is the dominant Philippine mobile wallet and a direct remittance receiver integrated by SMTJ. It is an ecosystem partner rather than a competitor, but its growing share of inbound remittances shapes how much value SMTJ can capture per transaction.
• Maya (PayMaya): Maya (formerly PayMaya) is a major Philippine digital wallet and payment platform. SMTJ supports PayMaya as a receiving wallet, positioning it as a distribution partner on the Philippines-side of SMTJ's remittance flow.

Emerging players

• Sendwave: Sendwave is a digital remittance app focused on corridors to Africa and Asia from diaspora markets. It overlaps with SMTJ on Asian corridors and represents the emerging app-based competitive set targeting the same migrant demographic.

Direct peers

• SBI Remit: SBI Remit is a Japan-licensed money transfer operator offering cross-border remittances with strong Philippines and India corridor coverage. It is the most directly comparable Japanese licensed competitor to SMTJ in serving migrant workers from Japan to South and Southeast Asia.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/smtj
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/speed-money-transfer-japan

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Speed Money Transfer Japan K.K.