Yen's Weakness Benefits Kiwi Travellers, But Also Hurts Exporters

The exchange rate between Japanese yen and New Zealand dollars is not fixed and fluctuates daily with global markets. Currently, one Japanese yen equals approximately 0.0112 NZD.

To convert yen to NZD manually, use the mid-market rate, which is the average rate seen on financial platforms. The formula is simple: amount in yen multiplied by JPY/NZD rate equals amount in NZD. For example, 10,000 JPY × 0.0112 = 112 NZD.

The problem is that airports and bank counters often add a spread to the mid-market rate, which can range from 3-5%. Wise and Revolut use the mid-market rate with a transparent fee, making them cheaper options for travel money. For amounts under ¥100,000, the difference between mid-market and bank rates is relatively small, but it adds up for larger transfers.