And that 2 million dollars is lost to the banking system. SE doesn't see a cent of it.

In fact, they would lose a similar amount again themselves in any attempt to transfer it from the UK to a Japanese bank account.

Wouldn't it make more financial sense to pay directly to Japan in the first place? I mean sure, we'd still be paying international transaction fees, but SE would get an extra 2 million a year out of us, which they could use to lower the subscription cost making the international fee moot (or better fund their games - their pick).

Hang on, I'm using logic again...