Payments News » Japan

Japan airline ANA aims to build digital payments business

April 17 2018

in
Japan

“ANA, Japan’s largest carrier, is aiming to launch a digital payments business as it seeks a cushion against the volatility in the airline industry’s profits.”

Global

Industry ministry report urges Japan to shed custom of cash dependence

April 11 2018

in
Cash
Japan

“The report, entitled “Cashless Vision,” said more cashless payments could help ease the country’s labor shortage and benefit foreign tourists, and that if current levels are maintained it could cost the economy hundreds of billions of yen in the coming years. It said that Japan should strive to boost the cashless payment ratio to 40 […]

Global

Banks Rush to Turn Japan Cashless

April 5 2018

in
Japan

“Japanese banks, long content to foster the nation’s love for cash, are now diving into digital payments thanks to a regulatory change that threatens to usher in new rivals. In recent months, lenders around the country have announced a flurry of initiatives designed to grab a slice of the $50 billion market for electronic settlements. Projects […]

Global

April 5 2018

in
Japan

“Japanese banks, long content to foster the nation’s love for cash, are now diving into digital payments thanks to a regulatory change that threatens to usher in new rivals. In recent months, lenders around the country have announced a flurry of initiatives designed to grab a slice of the $50 billion market for electronic settlements. Projects […]

Global

Japan aiming to promote cashless payment services

May 2 2018

in
Japan

“In its “Cashless Vision,” compiled in April, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry set a goal of raising the proportion of cashless payments, including through electronic money and credit cards, in overall household spending to 40 percent in 2025 from 18.4 percent in 2015.”

Global

Japan in Depth / Government Eyes 40% Goal For Use Of Cashless Payments

May 30 2018

in
Cash
Japan

“Cashless payments are rapidly becoming more commonplace, raising hopes for innovations linked to various new services. Japan, however, has lagged behind other nations in this field, and the government is taking steps to help it catch up.”

Companies

SoftBank Plans Payments Service For Japan By Year-End

July 24 2018

“SoftBank Group Corp. plans to announce within days that it will start a mobile digital payments service in Japan by the end of 2018 as billionaire founder Masayoshi Son seeks to expand in the sector, people familiar with the matter said. The service, a collaboration with Indian startup Paytm, will make extensive use of artificial […]

Companies

EBay Paid $573M To Buy Japanese e-Commerce Platform Qoo10, Filing Reveals

July 20 2018

in
eBay
Japan

“The deal underscores how eBay is at the same time pulling back from general plays while doubling down on more targeted opportunities. Earlier this year, the company gave up its stake in Flipkart as part of its acquisition by Walmart, but at the same time committed to investing in a new, standalone eBay operation in India, using some […]

Global

Japan Pushes Use Of Cashless Payments As Olympics Approach And Banks Strain

June 19 2018

in
Cash
Japan

“Earnest efforts are underway in both the public and private sectors to promote cashless payments ahead of the 2020 Olympics. Credit cards, electronic money and other cashless systems account for 20 percent of all consumer payments in Japan, compared with 40 percent to 60 percent in the United States, European countries and China. The government […]

Companies

Amazon And SoftBank Vie To Take Japan Cashless

July 30 2018

“The platforms offered by the U.S. online retail giant and the Japanese tech and investment powerhouse will require minimal investment by merchants. That approach is friendly to smaller businesses — a group that is estimated to account for about 90% of Japan’s shops — for whom obtaining specialized equipment is a heavy burden. Through local arm Amazon Japan, […]