How to Invest in the Japanese Stock Market (6 Steps)

Get familiar with the three major indexes used to track developments in the Tokyo Stock Exchange. These are, first, the Nikkei 225 index of major companies as chosen by Japan's most popular business paper, the 'Nihon Keizai Shimbun.' The second is the TOPIX index, and the J30 index is also commonly used to track Japanese big business.
Open a trading account with a large, well-known brokerage. To invest in the Japanese stock market, your order will have to be routed to a licensed member of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Larger brokerages have the best and most reliable access to TSE members.
Deposit capital into your new trading account, keeping in mind that it is unwise to place all your eggs in one basket. Make sure you have a contingency fund in place to cover your back in the event you lose your shirt in the Japanese stock market.
Work with your financial adviser to identify Japanese companies that you want to invest in. If you prefer to do your own digging, a good place to get started is on the Tokyo Stock Exchange's official English-language website (see Resources below).
Research Japanese companies using the same methods you would use to research domestic companies. If you have no experience researching stocks, pick up a comprehensive introductory guide to stock investing from your local bookstore and spend some time reading before you head into the real world. Keep in mind that it may be difficult or costly to obtain copies of Japanese companies' financial statements.
Place an order to buy the Japanese stock of your choice with your brokerage. Your stockbroker will then forward your request to a Tokyo Stock Exchange member for filling. The time delay involved may mean that the actual price of the stock could differ from your quote by the time your order is actually processed.

How to Buy Stock on the International Stock Exchange

Choose your investment channel. If you're considering investing in the international stock market, most likely you already have a brokerage account in place. With international investments, it's best to have a knowledgeable adviser in your corner. If you've been going it alone up to this point, you might want to consider a full-service brokerage firm or a fee-based service to help you navigate this new terrain. Understanding currency exchange procedures, regulatory requirements and overall portfolio management advice is much needed when investing in the international stock market.
Research the global stock market. Two types of markets dominate the global stock exchange: Mature markets--These include the United States, London and Europe. These are markets in which growth potential is small. The corporate market momentum has pretty much stabilized.Developing markets--These markets are called BRIC economies and include the countries of Brazil, India, China and Russia. These are developing countries, and so their corporate market growth potential is large.You would think the developing markets would be the wise investment choice; however, developing countries are prone to frequent economic and political change. Changes like these impact the corporate structure of a country’s market system and can drastically improve or depreciate the value of a stock investment.Mature markets offer stability but little opportunity for growth. The potential for technological advancement within a mature market system is, however, a possible growth opportunity. Take some time to get a feel for the economic and political climates of the countries you’re looking to invest in. Changes in a country’s leadership, talk of intercontinental alliances or the potential of war or upheaval are things to look for when considering how stable an investment will be.
Match portfolio needs with international stock type. There are several different investment packages to consider when choosing international stocks. You can invest in a specific oversees company, or you can invest in a group of companies or even a group of countries.The main types of investment options offered by brokerages are:American depositary receipts (ADR)--These allow investors to invest in international stocks without buying into a foreign exchange.Exchange-traded funds (ETF)--These are, in essence, mutual funds that can be traded just like individual stocks.International funds--These are similar to exchange-traded funds. The only difference is they’re handled by a portfolio manager, and all decisions are made by the portfolio manager.Foreign securities--This is when an investor purchases international stock directly from his broker’s international trading desk.
Choose your broker carefully. More oftentimes than not, U.S. brokers who trade on the international market are trading through domestic market makers. The market maker is the middleman, and he’s the one who’s actually carrying out the trade exchange. As such, market makers make a profit off your investment monies. This is an extra cost that can best be put toward the investment stock itself.Instead, look for brokers who deal directly with oversees traders. Of course, they’ll charge a trading commission, but this charge is substantially lower than what goes to a domestic market maker.
Track currency exchange rates. Investing in oversees stock means your U.S. dollar will be converted to whatever a country’s currency is. The drawback here is not all currencies are created equal.Translating your U.S. dollar into a foreign currency rate means price quote amounts, dividends and fees will be altered to reflect the difference of value in the currencies in play. Make it a point to understand the currency exchange rates that apply to your portfolio makeup and incorporate them into your investment budget planning process.

How to Buy Paper Stock Certificates

Determine which company you want to purchase. You can purchase paper certificates from some companies for a substantial fee (usually around $50 to $75, as of January 2010). This is in addition to the market value of the stock.
Contact your broker. Ask them if they have access to paper stock certificates. If you are already paying brokerage fees, they might provide a discount. If your broker is large enough, they might also sell actual certificates. The part of the brokerage or bank that does this is called Custody Operations.
Contact RealStockCertificates.com. This company specializes in stock certificates. They have stocks that are over 100+ years old, as well as an online database where you can view stock certificates and the current selling price.
Visit OneShare.com. Oneshare allows you to purchase framed shares of stock to keep for yourself or give as gifts. The price of the frame stock certificate will depend on the actual price of the stock. For instance, Cheesecake Factory (NYSE: CAKE) might be trading for $20, however, the fee may differ with the inclusion of a frame, matte, and anything you want engraved on the certificate.

How to Track the Stock Market (9 Steps)

Match the appropriate stock market index to your investment portfolio or economic region of interest. In the U.S., the Dow Jones industrial average, S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite are the three major stock market indexes. The Dow and S&P 500 track large-capitalization stocks such as Exxon Mobil and Wal-Mart. The Nasdaq is associated with technology companies, such as Apple and Google.
Watch financial programs on TV or pull up online portals for stock tickers that present the major indexes in real time. Bloomberg and CNBC both have a television and Internet presence where you can follow the Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq throughout the day.
Study financial news stories on days when major indexes shift by at least 1 percent in value since the prior trading session. Significant political and economic events, such as elections and employment numbers, may be behind the volatility.
Monitor prevailing interest rates to foreshadow stock market performance. Lower interest rates are ideal for stocks because reduced borrowing costs translate into higher corporate profits.



List the individual stock holdings within your portfolio alongside investments that you are considering for purchase. Prioritize your list according to the financial value of each investment and identify their stock ticker symbols.
Pull up real-time stock quotes for companies that interest you by entering ticker symbols into online quote interfaces such as the one on Yahoo! Finance (see Resources). The daily newspaper reports on the prior trading session with stock market closing prices. Sequentially check share prices by researching quotes for your largest investments first.
Search for additional news about a company when its stock fluctuates by at least 1 percent in value. Company earnings reports and product launches may be contributing factors in dramatic swings in stock price.
Compare basic financial ratios for stocks of interest. Online stock-quote sources like Yahoo! Finance and newspapers will list price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios and dividend yields alongside share prices. Stocks with lower P/E ratios and higher dividend yields may present better value for investors.
Contact corporate investor relations departments at companies to get annual reports that summarize financial statements and business developments that affect your stocks. Compare this data against historical share prices to anticipate trends.