Reasons for Field Survey

The Japanese foreign exchange market is one of the world's most important forex trading markets, boasting a long history, a mature financial system, and strict regulatory mechanisms. It holds a crucial position in the global forex market. With numerous participants and high trading activity, it is subject to strict oversight by regulatory agencies such as the Financial Services Agency of Japan, ensuring the market's standardized operation. To help investors gain a more comprehensive understanding of the actual operations of forex dealers in the region, the field research team conducted an on-site visit to Japan.

Field Survey Process

This year's field research team traveled to Japan as planned to conduct an on-site visit to the forex broker Interactive Brokers. Publicly available information lists its office address as Kasumigaseki Building, 25F, 2-5 Kasumigaseki 3-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-6025 Japan.

Dedicated to ensuring stringent investor safety, the professional and experienced field research team carefully planned their visit to the core business district of Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo. Based on the publicly available address, they conducted an on-site visit to Interactive Brokers. The field research team first located Interactive Brokers in the Kasumigaseki area based on the address, directly targeting the area's iconic Kasumigaseki Building. They then conducted an on-site verification of Interactive Brokers' location on the 25th floor.

The field research team successfully arrived at the Kasumigaseki Building, a landmark building in the Kasumigaseki business district. Its all-glass facade, framed by a silver metal frame, creates a dignified and modern aesthetic, embodying a high-end business atmosphere. The building is surrounded by government agencies such as the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, as well as the headquarters of international financial institutions such as Mitsubishi UFJ Bank and Mizuho Financial Group. The streets are lined with neatly manicured greenery, and high-end business buildings are densely packed. The flow of people and vehicles is orderly, and the commercial and administrative atmosphere interweaves, creating a bustling and orderly atmosphere, perfectly matching the description of a  bustling  environment. The surveyors conducted a comprehensive exterior inspection of the building. Although they did not find any Interactive Brokers logos or signs on the facade, the building's highly recognizable exterior allowed them to capture a panoramic view of the building, fully capturing its overall appearance and the surrounding bustling environment.

The surveyors then attempted to enter the building's first-floor lobby. A professional security team, dressed in standard attire and maintaining a rigorous service process, was stationed 24 hours a day at the entrance. The surveyors explained their intention to visit Interactive Brokers on the 25th floor and, after a brief ID check and verification of their purpose, were granted entry. The spacious lobby boasts a minimalist yet luxurious décor. The floor is paved with imported light gray marble, while the walls feature off-white stone accented with metal lines. Long LED lighting fixtures hang overhead, creating a sense of sophistication and modernity. Equipped with a high-end concierge desk, a visitor lounge, and an electronic guide screen, the design perfectly aligns with the building's status as a landmark commercial building. A large electronic floor sign prominently displays the names of companies resident on each floor by industry. After careful inspection, the surveyors found that the 25th floor clearly displayed the company name Interactive Brokers,which matched the floor and company information listed in the public address, directly verifying the address's identity.

To further confirm the specific location of the office area, the surveyors, guided by security personnel, proceeded to the elevator lobby. Using the temporary access granted by registering in the lobby, they successfully took the elevator to their target floor—the 25th floor. Upon exiting the elevator, the first thing that caught our eye was a sign in the common area. Made of metal and with clear lettering, it clearly indicated the direction to the Interactive Brokers office area and the corresponding rooms. This allowed the surveyors to confirm the company's location on the 25th floor. However, as they approached the office entrance, they discovered a keyless entry system requiring a card swipe, and no staff were present. The surveyors attempted to contact building management for temporary access, but the staff explained that access to the office area was solely managed by the company, and that temporary passes were not available to unscheduled visitors. Ultimately, the surveyors were unable to gain entry.

During their stay in the 25th-floor common area, further observation revealed that the common area was elegantly decorated, with carpeted hallways and art on the walls. No signs or promotional materials referring to shared office or co-working were found. This, combined with the distinct Interactive Brokers labeling in the lobby and on the floor signage, clearly ruled out the possibility that it was a shared office. At the same time, the surveyors were able to clearly see a portion of the company's reception area through the glass door outside the office entrance, and successfully photographed the reception desk and the Interactive Brokers logo above it (meeting the exterior photography only requirement). The reception area's decor, featuring dark solid wood accents with metal trim and a simple, elegant backdrop, aligns with the building's luxurious image. Combined with industry standards for office environments of large financial institutions, the interior office environment qualifies as luxurious. Furthermore, the surveyors attempted to obtain additional operational information from Interactive Brokers through the floor management, but the staff, citing protecting corporate privacy, withheld further information.

Thus, the survey confirmed that Interactive Brokers existed at the publicly listed address, which matched the address on the survey form.

Field Survey Summary

The surveyors visited Interactive Brokers as planned and observed the broker's company name and logo displayed prominently at the publicly shown business address, indicating the physical presence of the broker's business. Investors are advised to take all factors into consideration before making a decision.

Field Survey Disclaimer

The above content and opinions are for reference only and should not serve as a basis for any final decision.