We will provide a summary of FX trading hours, brands, holidays, and markets during the Obon period at XMTrading. In Japan, there is a period called Obon holiday in August. Most companies will be closed for the holidays. What will happen to FX as a result of this? Also, will XMTrading’s business hours be affected?
- XMtrading
- Regarding Trading During the Obon Period at XM (XMTrading)
- Trading Considerations During the Obon Period
- ① Beware of reduced liquidity (most important)
- ② Risk of widening spreads and sudden fluctuations
- ③ Trading hours may change or be closed for each product
- ④ Beware of price gaps and price gaps.
- ⑤ Manage leverage strictly
- ⑥ Be careful when combining with indicator releases
- ⑦ Delays in deposits/withdrawals and support
- ⑧ Mental health (surprisingly important)
- August Market Anomalies
- XM’s Trading Hours and the Relationship with Obon
- ① XM’s trading hours are based on the “global market standard.”
- ② Why do you need to be careful during Obon?
- ③ Substantial changes (same time, different content)
- ④ By security: Susceptible/unsusceptible to Obon
- ⑤ Beware of “Trading Time Changes” for Stock Indices and CFDs
- ⑥ Special caution times (Japan time)
- ⑦ Relationship with Deposits, Withdrawals, and Maintenance
- ⑧ Practical Strategy (Important)
- Trading Strategies for the Obon Festival
- XM’s Support System and Obon
XMtrading
| Operating company | Tradexfin Limited Fintrade Limited |
| Head office location | Unit E, F28, Eden Plaza, Eden Island, Republic of Seychelles |
| Founding year | 2009 |
| Financial License | （FSA）SD010：Tradexfin Mauritius Financial Services Commission (FSC：)：Fintrade Limited Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC)：Trading Point of Financial Instruments Ltd |
| Language support | English、日本語、Malay、Thai |
| Platform | MetaTrader 4 (MT4)／MetaTrader 5 (MT5) |
| Service Countries | Over 190 countries |
| Number of users | Over 1 million accounts |
| Max Leverage | 1000x |
| Eligible products | Forex、Metal、Stocks、Equity Indices / Index CFD、Energy CFD、Commodities、Cryptocurrency |
Regarding Trading During the Obon Period at XM (XMTrading)
We have summarized basic points to note regarding trading during the Obon period at XM (XMTrading).
For overseas FX, trading hours, liquidity, spreads, and other factors may be affected by global market conditions and country closures, even during Japanese holidays (Obon).
🗓️ 1. Trading is Generally Possible During the Obon Period
Obon in Japan (e.g., August 13-16) is a national holiday in Japan, but global financial markets are not necessarily closed.
Major markets, such as FX currency pairs (FOREX), are generally open for trading.
→ XM allows trading on holidays “as long as the global markets are open.”
👉 However, deposit and withdrawal transactions, such as bank settlements, may be affected by Japanese holidays and bank closures. (This is common among most overseas FX brokers.)
📊 2. Beware of changes in trading hours for each product
Stock indexes, commodity CFDs, etc. may be closed or have their hours changed.
If there are national holidays or summer holidays in various countries around the Obon holiday period, XM may notify you of changes to trading hours.
Example (for holidays in August 2025):
Some stock indexes (e.g., IT40 Cash, Italian and Greek stocks) are closed or closed.
Other stocks and futures may also have later openings (later starts) or be closed.
→ There were examples of such market closures and adjustments during August 2025.
⏰ 3. How to Check Trading Hours (Important)
XM displays schedules in server time (e.g., GMT+3), so be careful when converting to Japanese time.
Server time can be checked using the MT4/MT5 time display.
Holiday schedules are posted in the Advance Notices/News section.
Closed days/time changes may vary for each stock.
👉 We recommend checking the “Holiday Schedule” for the relevant stock in advance.
⚠️ 4. Pay Attention to Liquidity and Spreads
When holidays (especially global market closures) overlap:
✔ Decreased liquidity
✔ Widened spreads
✔ Increased risk of price volatility
These effects can occur. This is not due to the fact that it is a holiday, but rather a characteristic of days with fewer market participants, and this is the same for XM.
🏦 5. Timing of Deposits and Withdrawals
Bank transfers and domestic deposits may be suspended during Japanese holidays (including Obon).
→ Even if the overseas FX system is operational, bank processing may be delayed.
Credit/debit card and online payments are relatively unaffected by bank business days.
Trading Considerations During the Obon Period
This article summarizes important points to consider when trading during the Obon period.
(This information applies not only to XM but also to overseas FX and CFDs in general.)
Settings will be different from usual, affecting settlements. Due to the unusually low activity, trading conditions and timing will need to be adjusted. There are also risks, depending on the country. Gold, foreign exchange, Bitcoin, and other items change daily throughout the 365 days, so we will explain in detail.
① Beware of reduced liquidity (most important)
During the Obon holiday period
Western traders are on summer vacation
Decrease in trading participants
Common phenomena
Wider spreads
Decreased execution power
Sudden price spikes (instantaneous price jumps)
👉 Technical analysis becomes less effective
② Risk of widening spreads and sudden fluctuations
Times to be particularly cautious
Early morning Tokyo time
Times when European traders are scarce
Around the release of indicators
Countermeasures
Avoid excessive use of market orders
Set wider stop losses or reduce lots
Scalping sparingly
③ Trading hours may change or be closed for each product
Points to note
FX currency pairs → Almost as usual
Stock indexes and commodity CFDs →
Closed markets, shortened trading times, and delayed openings are likely
👉 Before trading
MT4/MT5 “Specifications”
Be sure to check XM’s holiday schedule
④ Beware of price gaps and price gaps.
During the Obon holiday
The beginning of the following week
When the market reopens
Gaps (price jumps) are likely to occur.
Countermeasures
Be cautious about carrying over positions over the weekend
Stop losses are essential
Avoid carrying over positions with high leverage
⑤ Manage leverage strictly
During the Obon holiday period
The basic rule is to drive more safely than usual
Reduce lot sizes by half or less
Avoid using maximum leverage
Avoid trying to make a one-hit wonder
👉 Even if there is a zero cut
Unexpected movements = Great psychological damage
⑥ Be careful when combining with indicator releases
Low liquidity
+
Important indicators/VIP statements
=
Prone to erratic price movements
👉 Indicator trading is for advanced traders
Beginners should “pass”
⑦ Delays in deposits/withdrawals and support
Japanese banks are closed during the Obon holiday
Bank transfers are likely to be delayed
Responses to inquiries may be slower than usual
👉
Manage your capital with a margin
Pre-deposit is safe
⑧ Mental health (surprisingly important)
“I’m trading because I have free time”
“I want to make money during my holidays”
👉 This is the biggest losing pattern.
Countermeasures
Reduce the number of trades
Avoid trading outside the rules
If you can’t, “taking a break” is also a strategy.
August Market Anomalies
We will summarize the August market anomalies (rules of thumb) from a practical perspective common to FX, stocks, and commodities (European and US stocks, including the UK, France, Greece, Sweden, Belgium, Australia, Spain, and Cyprus). There are some points to keep in mind when investing in stocks and CFDs to generate profits.
① Summer slump (the most famous anomaly)
Contents
Western institutional investors are on summer vacation
Decrease in market participants
Decrease in trading volume and liquidity
Impact
Wide spreads
Sudden price movements (shadows)
Technical analysis is less effective
👉 August is the month when “sudden movements occur even after no movement” occurs
② Range-bound markets (FX/stocks)
Characteristics
A clear trend is difficult to emerge
High and low breakouts tend to be staggered
Targeting breakouts is unfavorable
Suitable strategies
✔ Range-bound trading
✔ Short-term/light trading
✔ Early profit taking
③ Sudden fluctuations are likely
Reason
Low liquidity
Large orders are likely to affect prices
Common examples
Sudden drop → immediate full recovery
Sudden price movements of tens of pips due to a single news item
Volatile fluctuations despite no indicators
👉 Increased “unexplained movements”
④ The stock market tends to weaken.
Famous saying
“Sell in May and go away, but remember to come back in September.”
August’s position
Stocks tend to be weak from May to August.
August is especially prone to volume declines and corrections.
👉 Be cautious with stock index CFDs.
⑤ Currencies linked to the yen are prone to volatility (FX).
Reason
Tokyo market operates normally.
European and US holidays disrupt balance.
Possible movements
Sudden changes in USD/JPY and EUR/JPY.
Frequent shadows in cross-yen markets.
👉 Reduce lots when the yen is involved.
⑥ Commodities (especially gold and crude oil).
Gold.
Movements often begin in late August and September.
The first half is a range-like period, while the second half is a preparation period.
Crude oil.
Sudden changes due to supply and demand news.
Thin trading and news tend to move in one direction.
XM’s Trading Hours and the Relationship with Obon
This article explains XM’s trading hours and the relationship with Obon, focusing on common misunderstandings and practical issues.
① XM’s trading hours are based on the “global market standard.”
XM’s trading hours are set independently of Japanese holidays and Obon.
Japanese bank holidays.
FX currency pairs
Early Monday morning to early Saturday morning
Trading is possible as usual during Obon.
👉 It’s a misconception that FX is closed during Obon.
② Why do you need to be careful during Obon?
The reason is simple.
✔ Japan operates normally
❌ Europe and the US are on summer vacation (vacation)
→ Market participants decrease dramatically
③ Substantial changes (same time, different content)
Characteristics of Obon
Decreased liquidity
Wider spreads
Decreased execution power
Sudden price movements
👉 “Trading hours are the same, but the content is different”
④ By security: Susceptible/unsusceptible to Obon
Relatively less affected
EUR/USD
USD/JPY
GBP/USD
*Still more volatile than normal
Susceptible
Cross yen (e.g., EUR/JPY)
Minor currencies
Stock index CFDs
Commodity CFDs (e.g., crude oil, natural gas)
👉 CFDs are prone to market closures and shortened trading periods
⑤ Beware of “Trading Time Changes” for Stock Indices and CFDs
Not just during the Obon holiday itself, but also due to overseas holidays and summer closures:
Closed markets
Trading opens may be delayed
Early closures may occur.
👉
MT4/MT5 “Specifications”
XM’s Holiday Schedule
Be sure to check before trading
⑥ Special caution times (Japan time)
Danger Zone
Early morning in Tokyo (7:00-9:00 AM)
European time when London traders are scarce
Just before the New York Open
👉 Prices are prone to volatility and wicking
⑦ Relationship with Deposits, Withdrawals, and Maintenance
Trading Hours: Regular
Bank Transfers: Delays are likely during the Obon holiday season
👉
Make deposits in advance
Withdrawals should be made with ample time
⑧ Practical Strategy (Important)
Recommended
✔ Reduce lot sizes
✔ Take profits early
✔ Avoid excessive market orders
✔ If not feasible, do not trade
NG
❌ High leverage all at once
❌ Repeated breakout attempts
❌ Gambling on indicators
Trading Strategies for the Obon Festival
We’ll organize our trading strategies for the Obon festival as “practical strategies to make it harder to lose” rather than “strategies to win.”
(This assumes overseas FX trading, such as XM)
Golden Rule 1: Reduce your lot size
1/2 to 1/3 of the usual size
No high leverage
👉 Thin trading = Avoid sudden losses
Golden Rule 2: Reduce the number of trades
“Few opportunities” is normal
Don’t force entries
👉 Leisure trading is your biggest enemy
Golden Rule 3: Take profits early and don’t be greedy
Take profits securely rather than extending them
Trailing is not suitable
A strategy suitable for Obon
✔ Range contrarian (short-term)
Reason
Trends are hard to emerge
Many false breakouts
Example
Support and Resistance + RSI
Bollinger Bands ±2σ Touch
👉 Stops are essential and shallow
✔ Dips and rallies are “light”
Don’t expect major trends
Imagine breaking out in just one wave
XM’s Support System and Obon
We’ve summarized practical points to keep in mind regarding XM’s (XMTrading) support system and the Obon holiday period.
① XM’s Support System (Basics)
XM provides multilingual support worldwide, but Japanese support is available for Japanese users.
Standard Support Methods:
✔ Live Chat (Real-time)
✔ Email Support
✔ Phone Support (Country and Time Restrictions Apply)
*Support hours can be checked on the official website or in the app, but generally correspond to FX market hours, which are 24 hours a day on weekdays.
② Support Trends During Obon
🕐 1) Japanese Support is Generally Available
As many users have reported, Japanese support is generally available even during Obon.
(Even if a Japanese-related staff member is on vacation, another staff member will cover for them.)
🕐 2) However, “Delays” May Occur
Responses and processing may be slower during the Obon period for the following reasons:
Overseas support teams also have summer vacations.
Japanese-speaking staff may be on vacation or shifts may be affected.
Fluctuating trading volume may result in a high volume of inquiries.
👉 *While this does not necessarily mean that support staff are on vacation, you should be aware that “responses may be slower than usual.”
③ Points to Note When Contacting Support (Obon)
📌 ① Inquire as Early as Possible
If you encounter a problem before or during Obon, it is important to contact them as soon as possible.
Putting it off may result in a delayed response and missed trading opportunities.
📌 ② Have Multiple Communication Methods
Live Chat — Fastest, but prone to congestion
Email — Leaves a record
Phone — Suitable for emergency responses
👉 It is practical to use different methods depending on the situation.
📌 ③ Please clearly state your inquiry.
When contacting us, please attach the following to speed up our response:
✔ Account ID
✔ Date and time of the issue (preferably GMT/server time)
✔ Error message
✔ Screenshots
④ Account-related processing (Obon holiday impact)
The following items may be subject to delays in support responses and processing itself:
🔹 Withdrawal processing/identity verification
There may be slight delays in review and processing.
Same-day responses may not be possible depending on the day of the week.
🔹 Bonus granting/cancellation
Normally automated, but verification is required if there are any doubts.
During the Obon holiday, verification staff are likely to be delayed.
🔹 Trading suspension/execution issues
This is generally not affected due to automatic execution.
However, support wait times may increase if server load increases.
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