Small Investments and Big Returns: RIZAP Yields 30%! Top Stocks Under 50,000 Yen

A combined yield of over 10% from both benefits and dividends is the target!

When it comes to stock investment, people may imagine profiting by buying and selling stocks. However, another valid investment style is holding stocks long-term and earning profits through dividends and shareholder benefits from the invested company.

Stocks that offer benefits with a small investment tend to have a higher benefit yield, and when combined with dividends, it becomes easier to recover the investment simply by holding the stock. Some stocks even offer a combined yield of over 10%.

With such high-yield stocks, it’s quite possible to recover your investment just by holding them. While there’s a risk of losses if stock prices fall, investing a few tens of thousands of yen may feel manageable.

Particularly noteworthy are popular companies like NTT (9432) and SoftBank (9434), which have become more affordable through stock splits. With the growing number of new investors starting through NISA, stock splits aimed at expanding the investor base have become common, making many popular company stocks more accessible.

With that in mind, here are six popular Japanese stocks with shareholder benefits that can be purchased for 50,000 yen or less.

Too popular, leading to changes in shareholder benefits? Yield exceeding 30%! “RIZAP Group” (2928)

Convenience gym “chocoZAP” is once again drawing attention to RIZAP Group (2928), the company behind the once-popular “RIZAP” gym commercials.

The key highlight of RIZAP Group’s shareholder benefits is the “chocoZAP usage fee at half price.” Shareholders with 100 or more shares receive half-price usage for six months, while those with 200 or more shares get a full year at half price. At the closing price on March 5, an investment of 48,600 yen for 200 shares offers a yield of 36.79%.

For shareholders with 400 or more shares, one additional person can also enjoy half-price chocoZAP usage for a year. This benefit is paired with discount vouchers and points for RIZAP Group’s online store. An investment of around 100,000 yen for 400 shares achieves a yield of 52.22%.

RIZAP Group has revised its shareholder benefit program, effective for shareholders as of March 2025. Previously, 200 or more shares provided six months of “free” chocoZAP usage, but this has been changed to half price for a longer one-year period.

While monthly costs will now apply, the extended period means the total benefit value remains unchanged. At the current stock price, the benefit is equivalent to approximately 17,880 yen — achievable with an investment under 50,000 yen — resulting in a yield exceeding 30%. For those already using or planning to use chocoZAP, this is an appealing offer.

chocoZAP’s monthly fee is already affordable at 2,980 yen (excluding tax). Even with the half-price discount, the cost is only 1,490 yen (1,639 yen including tax). Paying a small amount may even encourage consistent attendance. Additionally, those joining chocoZAP using this benefit will have their registration fee (3,000 yen including tax) and administrative fee (2,000 yen including tax) waived (excluding re-enrollment).

Some have criticized this change as a downgrade. While it’s true that solo users can no longer enjoy chocoZAP for free, it’s worth noting that last year’s “chocoZAP Japan No.1 Achievement Commemoration Special Benefit” was initially intended as a one-time offer. Converting it into a regular benefit should be seen as a positive move. The previous free benefit had a significant negative impact on RIZAP Group’s earnings, so this adjustment seems necessary for sustainable business operations and ongoing benefits.

Lastly, RIZAP Group (2928) is listed on the Sapporo Securities Exchange (SSE). Since some brokers, such as Rakuten Securities, do not handle SSE-listed stocks, investors should be cautious.

Benefit yield over 15%! “MH Group” (9439)

M.H. Group (9439), which operates salons like “Mod’s Hair,” issues shareholder benefit vouchers for its online store “M.H. GROUP WEB STORE” to shareholders holding 100 or more shares.

Eligible products include hair care items such as shampoos and treatments, styling products, hair dryers, irons, and makeup products. Many hair care and styling products are suitable for both men and women.

With 100 shares costing around 20,000 yen, shareholders receive a voucher worth 3,500 yen once a year, giving a benefit yield of over 15%. For those who hold shares for more than three years, the benefit amount increases by an additional 1,000 yen, raising the yield to 20%.

Yield of approximately 15%! “Right-on” (7445)

The major jeans casual chain Right-on (7445) issues shareholder benefit vouchers for those holding 100 or more shares, which can be used at its stores.

With 100 shares, which can be purchased for around 20,000 yen, shareholders receive a voucher worth 3,000 yen once a year, offering a benefit yield of nearly 15%.

Note that the voucher cannot be used in the online store. Right-on operates 346 stores nationwide (as of March 5), so those without a nearby store should be aware.

With an investment of around 10,000 yen, earn benefits! Benefit yield of approximately 10% “Stream” (3071)

Stream (3071), which operates e-commerce sites like “EC Current,” issues shareholder benefit vouchers to those holding 100 or more shares. These vouchers can be used on their electronics e-commerce site “EC Current” or cosmetics and health food site “X-One.”

With an investment of around 10,000 yen for 100 shares, shareholders receive a voucher worth 1,000 yen once a year, resulting in a benefit yield of approximately 10%.

“EC Current” offers a wide range of products, from electronics to daily necessities and household goods, ensuring that shareholders won’t face the common issue of receiving a gift they don’t want, as with typical catalog gifts.

 Aim for benefits + dividends with long-term holdings! “SoftBank” (9434)

SoftBank (9434) is a subsidiary of SoftBank Group (9984), involved in telecommunications and IT services under brands like “SoftBank” and “Y!mobile,” as well as businesses such as Yahoo, ZOZO, and PayPay. Be careful not to confuse it with its parent company, SoftBank Group (9984).

For shareholders who hold 100 or more shares for over a year, SoftBank (9434) offers a “PayPay Money Lite worth 1,000 yen” as a shareholder benefit.

In October 2024, SoftBank implemented a 1-for-10 stock split, reducing the stock price to one-tenth of its previous level, making it easier to invest in with a smaller amount.

For 100 shares, the investment is just over 20,000 yen, providing a benefit yield of around 4.5%. However, holding the shares for more than one year is required to qualify for the benefit, so long-term holding is necessary.

SoftBank also offers an attractive dividend yield of around 4%, making it a typical high-dividend stock. When combining both dividends and shareholder benefits, the total yield exceeds 8%, making it an ideal stock for long-term investors.

Earn d Points! “NTT” (9432)

NTT (9432), the largest telecommunications company, which has subsidiaries like “NTT” and “docomo,” also offers shareholder benefits.

NTT’s shareholder benefits are somewhat unusual: shareholders who hold 100 or more shares for 2 to 3 years receive 1,500 d points, while those who hold for 5 to 6 years receive 3,000 d points. A minimum of two years of holding is required, and shareholders can only receive the benefit once at each timing, making the conditions a bit strict.

NTT implemented a 1-for-25 stock split in July 2023, making the stock more accessible for small investors. Although the stock price has been soft since last year due to the split-induced decline, it is unlikely to fall much further from here.

As a result of the price decline, the dividend yield is currently at a high level of nearly 3%. NTT is also active in shareholder returns, planning 14 consecutive years of dividend increases through FY 2024. Like SoftBank (9434), NTT is a stock worth holding long-term, especially when considering both dividends and benefits.

As with any investment, there is a risk of loss. A high yield does not necessarily mean an investment is good. There is also the risk of benefits being discontinued, and like any other investment, careful selection of stocks is necessary. However, with small investments, even if the investment doesn’t succeed, the loss is typically manageable. Why not start investing with small, high-yield shareholder benefit stocks?

The stocks introduced here are just examples and are not intended as a solicitation or recommendation to buy or sell any specific stock. Please make your final investment decisions based on your own judgment.