Visa Worldwide Japan announced on May 25 that the number of cards issued in Japan that accept Visa touch payments exceeded 100 million (as of the end of March).
The number of cards has increased tenfold in three years and nine months from 10 million at the end of June 2019, and the number of touch payment compatible terminals has steadily increased to over 1.8 million. In addition, comparing the January-March 2021 period with the January-March 2023 period, use at convenience stores has increased by about 10 times, with about one in two cases being paid for with Visa touch payments.
In addition, there has been significant growth in discount stores, electronics retailers, and public transportation (approximately 100 times, 38 times, and 62 times, respectively). While previously these products tended to be used in everyday shopping situations such as convenience stores and supermarkets, they are now spreading to other segments as well.
Although more stores and terminals are expected to be added to the list of those that support touch payment in the future, from the user’s point of view, there are cases where a user wants to use a card but the card in his/her possession does not support it. Even if the issuing company has already supported the touch payment system, it will be several years before the card in the user’s possession is switched to touch payment at the time of the next renewal. In most cases, a fee will be charged if the user tries to switch voluntarily.
Commenting on this background, Mr. Rinto Terao, General Manager of Consumer Solutions, Visa Worldwide Japan, said, “There are already fewer Visa cards in Japan that are not touch-sensitive. We will continue to cooperate with ISURE and make various efforts to deliver Visa cards that support touch payment to as many consumers as possible, including the case you mentioned,” he responded.
As Travel Watch has often reported, an increasing number of companies and municipalities are conducting demonstration experiments and introducing full-scale fare payment systems for public transportation, such as buses and trains.
On the other hand, inbound travel is rapidly recovering after the Corona disaster, but long lines of inbound travelers are often seen at ticket machines and ticket windows at train stations. Kazunari Imada, Director of Core Platform Solutions, explained that travelers come to Japan expecting to experience and enjoy food, etc., and that if they did not have to wait in line, they might have spent their money in a different way. He explained that he hoped that the widespread use of Visa’s touch payment system could bring about new consumption.
© Source travel watch
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