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Smart FX Strategies to Optimise Your Holiday in Japan
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Wealth BuildingInvestment StrategiesStocks, ETFs & Trading
30 Jul 2025  I  5 mins read

Table of Contents

  1. Enhance your travel budget
  2. What is shaping the MYR-JPY outlook?

Short on time? Here’s what to expect from the article:

  • Exchange rates can make or break your travel holiday budget, especially for trips to Japan.
  • The Yen is gaining strength, so timing your currency exchange is the key.
  • Locking in favourable FX rates early helps stretch your Ringgit further while travelling to Japan.

Taking a holiday break from a hectic work schedule is always a great step towards improving efficiency and productivity. The travel budget plays a key role in choosing a holiday destination. The second important consideration? Exchange rates at your chosen destination. This determines how far your Ringgit goes at your preferred location and can make or break your travel budget.

Japan is one of the top travel destinations for Malaysians and one of the best times to visit the land of the rising sun is in November for the cool weather and autumn foliage. If you’re planning a quick getaway soon, learn how to use the exchange rate between the Malaysian Ringgit and Japanese Yen to your advantage.

Enhance your travel budget

A couple of simple steps can help your Malaysian Ringgit go further on your holiday to Japan.

Track exchange rates

Foreign exchange rates are constantly changing. Monitoring the exchange rate in the months ahead of your vacation ensures you can buy Japanese Yen when the exchange rate favours the Ringgit. Waiting for the right moment means you may get the maximum Yen for your Ringgit.

Smart budgeting

While making the most of the exchange rate helps, it’s also wise to plan your whole trip, keeping accommodation, food, transportation and other activities in mind. These days, it’s easy to find cost estimates online. You can also talk to friends or acquaintances who have been to Japan to get an idea of what your average daily expenses may include.

What is shaping the MYR-JPY outlook?

The exchange rate is influenced by various factors, such as central bank decisions on interest rates, inflation, import-export, and public debt. Monitoring these trends can help travellers make an informed decision about when to exchange currency for the best rates.

Travellers who are travelling soon may enjoy the benefits of a favourable exchange rate. The Japanese Yen has been weak for a while, which has made Japan a more affordable destination for tourists. Right now, one Ringgit gets you around ¥35, which means RM100 is roughly ¥3,500. At that price, you can enjoy a tasty bowl of ramen and a drink at a casual restaurant. Earlier this year the rate dipped closer to ¥32 per ringgit, so you’re getting better value now.

That said, given the Yen’s fluctuations of late, it’s smart to keep an eye on the rates, prepay for big expenses when the rate looks good, or use cards with low conversion fees.

Monitoring live foreign exchange rates can keep you ahead of the curve and help you make an informed decision. Standard Chartered’s LiveFX is the perfect tool to keep you up to date on forex trends. With this one-stop FX platform, one can enjoy the following benefits

  • Market updates at your fingertips
  • Personalised forex rate watchlists and price alerts
  • Forex limit order
  • Up-to-date forex market insights
  • Convenient foreign currency conversion

To get started, login to your Standard Chartered Online Banking / SC Mobile to start converting now.

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General Disclaimer

This article is for general information only and it does not constitute an offer, recommendation or solicitation of an offer to enter into any transaction or adopt any hedging, trading or investment strategy, in relation to any securities or other financial instruments. This article has not been prepared for any particular person or class of persons and does not constitute and should not be construed as investment advice or an investment recommendation. It has been prepared without regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any person or class of persons. You should seek advice from a licensed or an exempt financial adviser on the suitability of a product for you, taking into account these factors before making a commitment to purchase any product or invest in an investment. In the event that you choose not to seek advice from a licensed or an exempt financial adviser, you should carefully consider whether the product or service described herein is suitable for you.

You are fully responsible for your investment decision, including whether the investment is suitable for you. The products/services involved are not principal-protected and you may lose all or part of your original investment amount. Investment products are not deposits and are not obligations of, not guaranteed by, and not protected by the Bank or any of the affiliates or subsidiaries, or by Perbadanan Insurans Deposit Malaysia (“PIDM”), any government or insurance agency.

Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Berhad & Standard Chartered Saadiq Berhad (the “Bank”) expressly disclaim any liability and responsibility for any loss arising directly or indirectly (including special, incidental or consequential loss or damage) arising from the financial losses of the investment products due to market condition.

For Takaful / Insurance Benefits

The benefit(s) payable under eligible certificate is protected by PIDM up to certain limits. Please refer to PIDM’s Takaful and Insurance Benefits Protection System (“TIPS”) Brochure for more information.

The information stated in this article is accurate as at the date of publication.

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