The annual quotas
For adults, the Tsumitate quota is ¥1.2 million a year and the Growth quota is ¥2.4 million. Used together, purchases in one year can total ¥3.6 million. Unused annual room does not carry into the next year.
Swipe horizontally to see the full table.
| Quota | Annual ceiling | Place in the lifetime limit |
|---|---|---|
| Tsumitate | ¥1.2 million | Can be used within the ¥18 million |
| Growth | ¥2.4 million | Up to ¥12 million of the lifetime limit |
| Same-year total | Up to ¥3.6 million | The lifetime ceiling stays ¥18 million |
The lifetime tax-free holding limit
The tax-free holding limit is ¥18 million of acquisition cost. At most ¥12 million of that can sit in the Growth quota. The Tsumitate quota can use room inside the full ¥18 million.
The figure is book value, not market value. A rise that takes the market value above ¥18 million does not, by itself, mean the buying room is used up.
What a sale gives back
Annual quota already used does not return in the same year. If you buy ¥1 million in the Growth quota in April and sell in June, you cannot treat that ¥1 million as fresh annual room and buy again that year.
The lifetime limit is separate. The acquisition cost of what you sold can be reused from the following year. What returns is the cost, not the sale proceeds. You then use that restored room only within that year’s annual quota.
The account rule
In principle, one person has one NISA account. Changing institution is sometimes possible on a yearly basis. A purchase already made through NISA that year can block a change for the same year. If you plan a change, ask both institutions for the deadline.
Common misunderstandings
It does not. What can return is book value in the lifetime limit, and only from the following year.
There is no carryover of unused annual quota.
The limit counts acquisition cost. A price rise does not by itself cancel new buying room.
Questions on this page
What is the most I can buy in a year?
Up to ¥3.6 million if both quotas are used: ¥1.2 million Tsumitate and ¥2.4 million Growth.
What is the lifetime holding limit?
¥18 million. At most ¥12 million of that can be in the Growth quota.
When can sold room be used again?
Book value in the lifetime limit can be reused from the following year. The same year’s annual quota does not come back.
Related pages
When the answer depends on your situation
Residency, length of stay, which quota you want, and the amount are personal. After the published explanation, you can put those facts into a question.
Official sources: Japan Financial Services Agency, NISA site, National Tax Agency, No. 1535 NISA
This page is general information, not tax, legal, or investment advice. Amounts and procedures can change. Before you trade or file, check the latest material from the Financial Services Agency, the National Tax Agency, and your financial institution.