Himawari Forex Broker

Overview of Himawari

　　Himawari Securities, Inc., a Japanese financial institution operating for 15-20 years, offers trading services in currency pairs, stocks, and commodity ETFs. The company provides two main account types - Himawari FX regular account and Loop Ifdan account, the latter being an automated trading system. Leverage of up to 25 times the deposit amount is available. Himawari offers fee-free trading on regular FX accounts, with various deposit methods including quick and regular deposits. Multiple trading platforms are available, such as Sunflower FX WEB, Sunflower FX PRO, Himawari FX Smartphone App, and more. The company provides economic indicators, FX chart rates, and an educational platform for traders. Customer support is accessible through different channels, but negative reviews on platforms like WikiFX highlight instances of pyramid scheme claims and investment issues.

Pros and Cons

　　Himawari, a financial institution based in Japan, presents a range of potential advantages and drawbacks. With a Retail Forex License in hand, Himawari offers an array of diverse market instruments, including currency pairs, stocks, and commodity ETFs, while providing low spreads as low as 0.1 pips. Fee-free trading on regular FX accounts and the availability of a demo account enhance accessibility, along with leverage of up to 25 times the deposit. The company boasts various deposit methods, a comprehensive educational FX Academy, and a suite of trading platforms. However, its regulatory coverage might not encompass all operations, and the absence of certain trading software, coupled with negative field survey reviews, highlights potential concerns. Withdrawal issues and limited availability during non-working hours further contribute to the overall pros and cons of engaging with Himawari.

Is Himawari Legit？

　　The information indicates that the financial institution mentioned, ひまわり証券株式会社, holds a Retail Forex License regulated by the Japan Financial Services Agency under license number 関東財務局長（金商）第150号 since September 30, 2007. However, it's important to note that the regulatory status of this institution might not cover all aspects of its operations, as certain license types like “No Sharing” and the absence of a trading software could potentially pose risks to consumers. Caution is advised when dealing with this broker, especially considering the presence of negative field survey reviews and the lack of trading software.

Market Instruments

　　Currency Pairs: Himawari offers a range of currency pairs for trading. These include popular combinations such as USD/JPY (dollar/yen), EUR/JPY (euro/yen), GBP/JPY (pound/yen), AUD/JPY (Australian dollar/yen), NZD/JPY (New Zealand dollar/yen), CAD/JPY (Canadian dollar/yen), and CHF/JPY (Swiss franc/yen). Additionally, there are pairs like USD/CAD (Dollar/Canadian Dollar), USD/CHF (dollar/swiss franc), EUR/USD (euro/dollar), and more.

　　Stocks: Himawari provides access to renowned benchmarks like the Nikkei Stock Average, reflecting Japanese market sentiment, and the NY Dow, capturing the performance of major US companies. The NASDAQ-100 index showcases top non-financial US stocks, particularly in technology and healthcare sectors, while the DAX® index represents prominent German companies. Additionally, the FTSE100 index reflects the UK's blue-chip stocks.

　　Commodity ETF: Commodity ETFs in Gold and Crude Oil further diversify trading options. Gold, valued for its industrial demand and inflation-hedging potential, and Crude Oil, a vital global energy source, both offer intriguing opportunities. These instruments enrich investors' portfolios by engaging with different market facets.

Account Types

　　Himawari offers two main account types: Himawari FX regular account and Loop Ifdan account. Loop Ifdan is an automatic trading system for FX and CFD (stock index) orders, utilizing a “repeat strategy” approach with predetermined trading rules. The Loop Ifdan demo account allows users to experience the system with an automatic trade placed within an hour after application.

Leverage & Margin

　　Himawari FX provides a 4% margin requirement, enabling trading up to 25 times the deposit amount.

Spreads

　　Himawari offers spreads with a minimum unit of 0.1 sen (0.1 pips) for trading.

Fees & Commissions

　　Himawari provides fee-free trading on its regular FX account, including transactions, account-related fees, and withdrawals. Quick deposits and withdrawals are also free, though external transfer fees might apply. Withdrawals are in Japanese Yen only, with specific processing times based on request timing.

Minimum Deposit

　　Himawari's minimum deposit requirement varies based on account types. For a Himawari FX regular account, the minimum deposit is set at 10,000 currency units, while for a Loop Ifdan account, the minimum deposit is lower at 1,000 currency units.

Deposit & Withdrawal

　　Himawari offers two deposit methods: Quick deposit (via Internet banking) and Regular deposit (at bank window, ATM, etc.). Quick deposit is available through partnered banks such as Mitsubishi UFJ Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, and others, allowing immediate reflection of deposits. The process involves logging in to the financial institution, following on-screen instructions, and returning to Himawari's transaction screen. Regular deposit entails transferring funds to Himawari FX account from a bank window or ATM, typically reflecting within 2 hours during business hours. Withdrawals can be requested from Himawari's transaction screen, with options to register withdrawal accounts or transfer between accounts. The process involves logging in, registering the withdrawal request, entering withdrawal amount, confirming, and completing the request. Withdrawal requests other than full withdrawals are subject to a minimum amount.

Trading Platforms

　　Himawari offers a range of trading platforms, including Sunflower FX WEB, Sunflower FX PRO, Himawari FX Smartphone App, Sunflower FX for iPad, and Sunflower FX for Android Tablet.

　　Sunflower FX WEB is a browser-based trading system that provides outstanding functionality, including access to market news and customer information on one screen, a simple and easy-to-understand chart display, and one-click order placement. Quick deposit service is also available for 24-hour real-time deposits.

　　Sunflower FX PRO is an installation-type trading tool for computers. It features one-click order placement with predefined settings, multifunctional charts for technical analysis, customizable screen layout, and a transaction analysis function.

　　Himawari FX Smartphone App offers responsive trading with features like one-tap order transmission and push notifications for rate fluctuations and account status. It includes functions for account analysis, chart analysis with technical indicators, and rate change notifications.

　　Sunflower FX for iPad is an iPad-exclusive application offering an intuitive and easy-to-read transaction screen, a rich chart function with technical indicators, and free customization of layout. It enhances trading on a larger screen.

　　Himawari FX for Android Tablet, designed for Android tablets, also features an intuitive transaction screen, rich chart function, and customizable layout. It offers a range of technical indicators for analysis.

Educational Tools

1. 　　Economic Indicators: Provides real-time updates on announcement times, market forecasts, and results of economic indicators, facilitating informed trading decisions.

　　2. FX Chart Rates: Offers exportable CSV charts and rates for 24 currency pairs, supporting analysis with 1-minute, 10-minute, 1-hour, daily, and monthly time axes.

　　3. Himawari FX Academy Choice: A comprehensive FX education platform combining four academies to cater to traders' needs. It includes Himawari FX Evening Choice for concise daily trade insights, Himawari FX Lesson Choice for video tutorials covering various aspects of trading, Himawari FX Seminar Choice for specialized webinars, and Himawari FX FollowUp Choices for member-exclusive content and regular web seminars.

　　 Customer Support

　　Himawari provides accessible customer support through various channels, including a free call service available from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. Additionally, customers can utilize the FAQ section, an inquiry form, and engage with Himawari Securities through their official social media accounts on platforms such as YouTube, Twitter, LINE, Instagram, and Facebook.

Reviews

　　Himawari has received unfavorable feedback on WikiFX, encompassing pyramid scheme claims, exposure, and scams. Investors recount instances of being misled into investing, guided through the process, and subsequently facing withdrawal issues, leading to substantial losses. A reviewer, andresk, shared a personal encounter where their investments were blocked after two months, resulting in the loss of accumulated funds.

Conclusion

　　In conclusion, Himawari Securities, Inc. offers a range of trading instruments, including currency pairs, stocks, and commodity ETFs, with two main account types – Himawari FX regular account and Loop Ifdan account. The company provides a browser-based trading system and installation-type trading tool for computers, as well as trading apps for smartphones and tablets. They offer economic indicators, FX chart rates, and an FX education platform for traders. While Himawari presents accessible customer support options, it's important to note that the institution has garnered unfavorable reviews, with claims of pyramid schemes and withdrawal issues, which may raise concerns for potential investors.

FAQs

　　Q: Is Himawari a legitimate company？

　　A: Himawari holds a regulated Retail Forex License, but certain aspects of its operations might pose risks to consumers.

　　Q: What market instruments does Himawari provide？

　　A: Himawari offers currency pairs, stocks, and commodity ETFs for trading.

　　Q: What types of accounts does Himawari offer？

　　A: Himawari offers Himawari FX regular account and Loop Ifdan account, featuring an automatic trading system.

　　Q: What is the leverage and margin provided by Himawari FX？

　　A: Himawari FX offers a 4% margin requirement, allowing trading up to 25 times the deposit amount.

　　Q: What are the deposit and withdrawal methods at Himawari？

　　A: Himawari offers quick and regular deposit methods, along with options for withdrawals in Japanese Yen.

　　Q: What trading platforms does Himawari provide？

　　A: Himawari offers Sunflower FX WEB, Sunflower FX PRO, Himawari FX Smartphone App, and more for trading.

　　Q: What educational tools does Himawari offer？

　　A: Himawari provides economic indicators, FX chart rates, and the Himawari FX Academy Choice for education.

　　Q: How can customers contact Himawari's customer support？

　　A: Customers can reach Himawari's customer support through free call service, FAQ section, and social media.

　　Q: Are there any reviews about Himawari's services？

　　A: Reviews on WikiFX highlight negative experiences, including pyramid scheme claims and withdrawal issues.