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December 17, 2024
Top Post
New Guidance from Japan Credit Associate (JCA) on EMV 3DS Mandate
Forter
December 16, 2024
On the web
Alibaba Targets Japan With Tao, a New Cross-border E-commerce Platform
KrASIA
November 26, 2024
On the web
Checkout.com Forays Into Japan to Strengthen Its Global Presence
IBS Intelligence
October 3, 2024
On the web
Are you ready for 3DS? [Japan]
Medium
July 16, 2024
On the web
Visa Rolls Out of BNPL-Specific Credentials, Launches “VIC in a Box” With Three Partners in Japan
Medium
New Guidance from Japan Credit Associate (JCA) on EMV 3DS Mandate
Forter
July 3, 2024
On the web
Japan Releases New Banknotes for First Time in 20 Years
The Japan Times
April 12, 2024
On the web
Japan to Collaborate on Chinese Payment Services With Joint QR Code
Nikkei Asia
February 22, 2024
On the web
Biometric Payment Cards Launching in Japan, Turkey
Biometric Update
July 26, 2023
On the web
Bank of Japan Launches Forum with 60 Firms on Digital Yen Pilot Programme
Reuters
June 9, 2023
On the web
Face Biometrics Deployed for Cardless ATM Transactions at Japan’s Seven-Elevens
Biometric Update
June 5, 2023
On the web
MUFG to Facilitate Japanese Bank-Backed Stablecoins via Progmat Coin Platform
Cointelegraph
June 2, 2023
On the web
Japan’s New Stablecoin Framework Could Spur US To Act
Blockworks
May 25, 2023
On the web
Japan Enforces "Travel Rule" for Crypto Exchanges in June
FinanceFeeds
April 3, 2023
On the web
Bank of Japan Governor Confident in CBDC’s Ability to Coexist With Other Forms of Payment
CoinGeek
December 27, 2022
On the web
Japanese Fintech Leader Smartpay First to Launch the Next Phase of Digital Consumer finance Through Open Banking
TechCrunch
“Japan-based fintech Smartpay has launched Smartpay Bank Direct, the country’s first digital consumer finance service that allows customers to pay for online installment purchases straight from their bank accounts. Smartpay Bank Direct emphasizes user security while delivering convenience for the consumer, through a network of 67 partner banks across Japan[1]. Smartpay is Japan’s first digital consumer finance company to utilize Japan’s open banking system.”
December 21, 2022
On the web
Japan Pushes Apple to Support Digital ID Card Function on iPhone
Biometric Update
“Japan wants its My Number cards on the iPhone and Tim Cook is hearing about it, according to Yahoo Japan. In a meeting with the Apple CEO, Fumido Kishida, the Prime Minister of Japan, pushed to have his country’s digital ID card installed on the iPhone. Android should accommodate My Number by May. But the best Cook would promise Kishida was that he would work on it. The Prime Minister’s request follows new services accessible via the 12-digit My Number digital ID card.”
October 28, 2022
On the web
Japanese Regulators Loosen Crypto Laws and Make it Easier to List Coins
Cointelegraph
“The Japan Virtual and Crypto Assets Exchange Association, the governing body that deals with crypto assets in Japan, released documents of plans to further ease crypto laws in the country. According to a Bloomberg report, as early as December of this year, the association wants to implement a looser screening process for already authorized exchanges to list virtual coins. However, this would apply to tokens that are not new to the Japanese market. The regulators could abolish the lengthy pre-screening process altogether, even for coins new to the market, by March 2024. This scenario could also include tokens issued through initial coin or exchange offerings, according to comments by Genki Oda, the association’s vice president.”
September 21, 2022
On the web
How Japan is Moving Towards a Cashless Society with Digital Salary Payments
World Economic Forum
“The Japanese government is preparing to introduce a system for companies to pay salaries digitally – without going through bank accounts – by spring 2023. By promoting this system, which allows companies to transfer salaries to workers using smartphone payment apps, the government hopes to solve the complex issues facing foreign workers in Japan, expand the financial services market and deregulation, and promote growth. However, according to a survey of 247 companies conducted by Works Human Intelligence, a leading developer of integrated HR systems for corporate clients, less than 30% of companies are considering or will consider implementing digital salary payment. The survey found that system and operational costs and increased operational person-hours were the main barriers.”
September 6, 2022
On the web
JCB International Has Expanded its Existing Partnership with Concardis
IBS Intelligence
“JCB International Co., Ltd. , the international operations subsidiary of JCB Co., Ltd., has expanded its existing partnership with Concardis as part of the Nets/Nexi Group, one of Europe’s leading paytech providers, to enable JCB Contactless acceptance at several thousands of merchants in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Concardis and the entire Nets/Nexi Group and JCB share a common goal to make payments simple. Rollout has already begun with merchants with Concardis terminals in the travel and entertainment sectors such as hotels, shopping, and popular restaurants. This acceptance includes JCB Contactless. JCB Contactless enables JCB Cardmembers to perform secure and fast contactless payments simply by holding their JCB Card or JCB-Card-enabled smartphone or other devices over a point of sale (POS) terminal. JCB Contactless is based on the global chip standard ‘EMV(R),’ offering a higher level of security… JCB is accepted in 150 countries and regions globally, with about 39 million merchant partners and more than 140 million international Cardmembers…”
April 18, 2022
On the web
Uber Ties Up With Rakuten for Food-Delivery Payments in Japan
bloomberg
“Uber Technologies Inc. will integrate Rakuten Group Inc. ’s payment services into its Uber Eats and later Uber mobility app in Japan, one of its key international markets. Rakuten, Japan’s homemade answer to Amazon.com Inc. , operates a broad range of e-commerce and fintech services and has a widely used Rakuten Points loyalty program. The integration with Uber Eats, which will roll out in stages by the end of this month, will allow Rakuten account holders to log in without a pre-existing Uber account and earn and spend their Rakuten Points or Rakuten Pay credit, the companies said Monday.”
On the wires
Stripe Launches Konbini and Furikomi, Deepening Investment in Japan
“Stripe, a financial infrastructure platform for businesses, today announced that it supports two important forms of payments in Japan: Furikomi, a highly popular bank transfer method, and Konbini, the ubiquitous convenience store payment option. Now through a single integration, businesses of all sizes can use Stripe’s platform to accept Furikomi and Konbini payments, in addition to credit and debit cards. The expansion further accelerates Stripe’s growth plans in Japan.”
November 16, 2021
On the wires
Smartpay Officially Launches the First All-in-one E-commerce Payment Solution and BNPL Service That Is Completely Free for Consumers
“Smartpay K.K. today announced the launch of its new “Buy Now Pay Later” (BNPL) service, which combines an all-in-one payment experience and interest free payment solution, designed to solve Japanese consumer payment issues and improve merchant conversion rates.Built out of a passion for enabling Japanese merchants to succeed in e-commerce, Smartpay aims to remove the anxiety of shopping online for Japanese credit card users with the first completely free and secure, seamless, fully automated, online payment experience.”
June 15, 2021
On the web
SoftBank’s PayPay Surges Ahead in Japan’s Digital Payments Race
Reuters
“For six decades, shoppers at Mikawaya, a rice dealer in eastern Tokyo, paid in cash – until sales staff from payments app PayPay swept through the low-lying district, persuading the store to give their product a try. With customers clamouring to use the service and nearby stores signing up, PayPay’s offer of free installation and no handling fees was too good to refuse, the store’s owners say.”
May 19, 2021
On the wires
Adyen Expands Acquiring Capabilities to Japan Amid Growing Momentum for Cashless Payments
“ADYEN (AMS: ADYEN), the global payments platform of choice for many of the world’s leading companies, today announced the expansion of its acquiring capabilities to include Japan…This announcement extends Adyen’s local acquiring capabilities in Asia-Pacific, following launches in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore, and is supported by demand from international and domestic merchants looking to better serve shoppers in Japan.”
April 15, 2021
On the wires
Netstars Raises JPY6.6 Billion From Investors Including KKR, SIG and LUN Partners | NETSTARS CO., LTD
“Netstars Co., Ltd. (“Netstars” or the “Company”), the operator of Japan’s largest QR code payment gateway, today announced the completion of a JPY6.6 billion funding round. The round, which was made through a combination of a capital infusion and the allotment of new shares, includes a JPY4 billion investment made from funds managed by global investment firm KKR. SIG and LUN Partners also participated in the round. Headquartered in Tokyo and led by CEO Tsuyoshi Ri, Netstars is a payments aggregator and a FinTech company. The Company operates StarPay, Japan’s leading payments aggregation solution which integrates a variety of payment providers into a single device or software platform, allowing for efficient point-of-sale processing for consumers across multiple payment apps.”
April 9, 2021
On the wires
Coupa Announces Strategic Partnership With Japan Cloud to Establish Coupa K.K.
“Coupa Software (NASDAQ: COUP ), a leader in Business Spend Management, today announced a strategic partnership with Japan Cloud to establish a joint venture known as Coupa K.K. This joint venture will enable Coupa to scale to support the growing number of Japanese companies looking to gain greater efficiency and agility through Business Spend Management.”
October 7, 2020
On the wires
EMQ Launches High Value Cross-border Settlements in Japan
“EMQ, a global financial settlement network, announces today the launch of its high transaction value cross-border settlements in Japan, which enables global businesses to send a maximum of JPY30 million directly into local banks. This major enhancement further expands our global payment capabilities into Japan, empowering global businesses to capture new opportunities across the markets.”
October 6, 2020
On the web
Apple Pay and Express Transit Mode Now Support PASMO Transit Cards in Japan
Mac Rumors
“Japanese smart payment system PASMO today announced that it has launched support for Apple Pay , allowing users to pay for transit fares and other transactions using their iPhone or Apple Watch. Express Transit is also supported, which allows users to quickly pass through transit gates without having to wake or unlock their devices or authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID .”
August 24, 2020
On the web
Japan facing credit card number shortage as people stay home and shop
The Mainichi
“As more and more credit cards are being issued while people in Japan stay home and shop amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, issuing companies are running out of 16-digit combinations for card numbers. The shortage of numbers has emerged against the backdrop of a rise in credit card payments from consumers staying indoors amid the pandemic, as well as a sudden increase in the number of cards being issued due to the government’s introduction in October last year of a point reward system accompanying cashless transactions.”