Everything You Need to Know About Mobile Payment in Japan

Japan is one of the most innovative and technologically advanced countries in the world. And when it comes to mobile payment, Japan’s government and corporations have already led the way with mobile-first payment systems like Apple Pay and Android Pay, as well as contactless payment cards that can be used on almost any street corner in Japan by just tapping your phone or card on the terminal. But how did we get here? How will mobile payment in Japan continue to evolve over the next several years? This guide provides answers to those questions and more…

Japan is one of the most innovative and technologically advanced countries in the world. And when it comes to mobile payment, Japan’s government and corporations have already led the way with mobile-first payment systems like Apple Pay and Android Pay, as well as contactless payment cards that can be used on almost any street corner in Japan by just tapping your phone or card on the terminal. But how did we get here? How will mobile payment in Japan continue to evolve over the next several years? This guide provides answers to those questions and more…

The mobile market
In Japan, mobile payment is becoming increasingly popular, with more and more businesses offering the option to pay by phone. By 2022, it’s estimated that mobile payment will be used by nearly half of all Japanese adults. Here’s everything you need to know about using mobile payment in Japan. 1) Who can use it? There are no restrictions on who can use mobile payment in Japan. All major banks offer this service. 2) What are the benefits? Mobile payments are great for people on-the-go: they can make quick transactions without any hassle or cash handling whatsoever. 3) What devices do I need? You don’t need a specific device or app for mobile payments–instead, your bank just needs to support the technology–though your phone does have to have an internet connection and access to a camera (which almost all phones do). 4) Can I transfer money from my bank account if I don’t have enough credit left on my card? No, because transactions made through your smartphone always require credit on your card.

The players
In order to understand mobile payment in Japan, it is important to know the players involved. There are four main players: telecommunication companies, credit card companies, banks, and retailers. Each of these groups has a different role to play in the mobile payment ecosystem. For example, telecommunications companies such as NTT Docomo enable mobile users to make payments by downloading apps such as Apple Pay or Google Pay. Credit card companies such as Visa and Mastercard offer their own wallets with special discounts for their customers; they also partner with banks such as the Resona Bank in Japan who provide debit cards that support both Apple Pay and Google Pay on their phones. Banks also work with retailers who accept digital payments through debit cards and offer incentives for consumers who use them over cash or credit cards (e.g., purchases made with a debit card can earn 10% more points). For this reason, many Japanese businesses have been quick to adopt these services because they provide an opportunity for increased customer loyalty.

The apps
In order to use mobile payment in Japan, you must first download the proper app. There are three main apps that handle mobile payment in the country: PayPay, LINE Pay, and d pay. All of these apps are available for free on iOS and Android devices. To use mobile payment, you must also have a Japanese bank account and a credit or debit card. If you don’t have one yet, this is a good time to sign up for one! Some banks offer special deals if you open an account through them.

The advantages

With mobile payment, you can leave your cash and cards at home.
All you need is your smartphone, which most people have with them at all times anyway.
Mobile payment is more secure than cash since it’s harder to lose or have stolen.
With mobile payment, you can get rewards and discounts from certain stores just for using your phone to pay.
Mobile payment is becoming increasingly popular worldwide, so it’s good to be ahead of the curve in Japan.
Learning how to use mobile payment now will prepare you for future trips abroad where this type of payment might be the norm. 7. And while there are many benefits to a service like Apple Pay or Google Pay, there are also downsides that come with such convenience- often these downsides may not be worth the trade-off for some. 8. In Japan, one such downside is that you’re limited to what stores accept Apple Pay or Google Pay as a form of payment; therefore if you want something other than food and beverage items, these apps won’t work for you. 9. Another possible downside is that using your phone screen may not always feel as safe as pulling out a card from your wallet; especially if someone else has their hands on your device (e.g., children). 10.

Complications
Despite the increasing popularity of mobile payment, there are still some complications that need to be addressed. For one, many businesses are not set up to accept mobile payment, which can be frustrating for consumers. Additionally, mobile payment is often not available for online purchases, meaning that you still need a credit or debit card for those transactions. Finally, there can be security concerns when using mobile payment, as it is easier for hackers to access your information if you’re not careful. However, given all of these potential drawbacks, mobile payment remains popular among Japanese people and experts predict that it will continue to grow in the coming years. It is estimated that by 2022, over half of all payments made by consumers in Japan will be made with mobile devices.

Future of NFC in Japan
In a country that’s always been ahead of the curve when it comes to technology, it’s no surprise that mobile payment is big in Japan. By 2022, it’s estimated that mobile payment will make up over half of all transactions in the country. And with the recent launch of Apple Pay and Google Pay, it’s only going to become more popular. So what is NFC and how does it work? Let’s take a look. What is NFC? It stands for Near Field Communication and it enables you to use your phone as your wallet by making payments on-the-go. It works by storing an electronic signal between two devices that are touching each other within inches. The distance required for contactless payments is just 13 centimeters (5 inches). That means you can use your phone at a coffee shop, gas station or any place where they have an NFC terminal, which these days includes many places like retailers and vending machines around the world. How do I set up my mobile payment device? Setting up an NFC device requires three steps: installing the app on your phone; registering your card with the app; and scanning or typing in a 4-digit PIN code.

Japan is one of the most innovative and technologically advanced countries in the world. And when it comes to mobile payment, Japan’s government and corporations have already led the way with mobile-first payment systems like Apple Pay and Android Pay, as well as contactless payment cards that can be used on almost any street corner in Japan by just tapping your phone or card on the terminal. But how did we get here? How will mobile payment in Japan continue to evolve over the next several years? This guide provides answers to those questions and more…

Japan is one of the most innovative and technologically advanced countries in the world. And when it comes to mobile payment, Japan’s government and corporations have already led the way with mobile-first payment systems like Apple Pay and Android Pay, as well as contactless payment cards that can be used on almost any street corner in Japan by just tapping your phone or card on the terminal. But how did we get here? How will mobile payment in Japan continue to evolve over the next several years? This guide provides answers to those questions and more…

Japan is one of the most innovative and technologically advanced countries in the world. And when it comes to mobile payment, Japan’s government and corporations have already led the way with mobile-first payment systems like Apple Pay and Android Pay, as well as contactless payment cards that can be used on almost any street corner in Japan by just tapping your phone or card on the terminal. But how did we get here? How will mobile payment in Japan continue to evolve over the next several years? This guide provides answers to those questions and more…