Learn about the Top 5 things you need to know about electronic money (e-money) in Japan
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| Talking Japanese Culture, Season 1, Lesson 18 – |
| Top 5 Things You Need to Know About Electronic Money in Japan |
| [INTRO] |
| Hello, and welcome to JapanesePod101.com. |
| I’m Eric. |
| In this lesson we will talk about the "Top 5 Things You Need to Know About Electronic Money in Japan". |
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| The first topic (on the list) is about prepaid IC cards and a technology called Felica (J: Ferica). |
| Felica is the name of contactless IC card technology developed by Sony, and it is essential for any e-money cards in Japan. Some of the popular cards with Felica technology include “Suica” which can be used as a fare card on train and bus lines, and also as e-money for shopping. Prepaid e-money cards such as “Rakuten Edy” (J: Rakuten Edi) and “WAON” (J: Waon) are also widely used. In Japan, most of the latest mobile phones are also compatible with the Felica payment system, in what isknown as the mobile wallet function (J: o-saifu kētai). |
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| The next topic (on the list) is about the five most popular e-money cards. |
| As of July 2014, the “Rakuten Edy” card, (J: Rakuten Edi) issued by Japan’s biggest online shopping mall operator, stood at the top of Japan’s e-card industry with 70 million cards in circulation. The “Suica” (J: Suika) came in second, followed by “WAON” (J: Waon) and “PASMO” (J: Pasumo). The fifth was “nanaco” (J: Nanako), which can be used at Seven &I Holdings-owned stores such as 7-Eleven convenience stores and Ito-Yokado shopping centers. |
| But the monthly usage statistics show that “nanaco” has been used the most, meaning that “nanaco” users most often use e-money. |
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| The next topic (on the list) is about the most popular e-money card, the “Rakuten Edy” (J: Rakuten Edi). |
| This prepaid card, provided by Rakuten, has been attracting many users because the card can be integrated with a credit card, and can also be synchronized with the “mobile wallet” function on Android mobile phones. The Edy card holder can also convert points they earn from their Rakuten loyalty point program into e-money. |
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| The next topic (on the list) is about Suica (J: Suika) and Pasmo (J: Pasumo). |
| The “Suica” prepaid e-money card, issued by JR East railway company, is widely used among the younger generation. The card is also popular among commuters using JR or subway lines. |
| Another charge card called “Pasmo” can also be used for trains, subways, and buses in the greater Tokyo area. Just like Suica, you can use the Pasmo as a commuter pass with or without your name printed on it. |
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| The final topic is about two of the remaining top five -- the “WAON” (J: Waon) and “Nanaco” (J: Nanako) e-money cards . The “WAON” card is issued by the shopping mall operator Aeon Retail, and there are some 30 million such cards in circulation. |
| The card, with a cute dog printed on, is popular among women as they can use the card in shopping malls and earn loyalty points. |
| Another e-money card, “nanaco”, is issued by Seven and I Holdings, and has a cute giraffe printed on it. |
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| That’s all we have for this lesson. |
| Japan is still is a cash-based country, but e-money is becoming increasingly more popular. Do you use e-money, or plan to get an e-money card? |
| Leave us a comment and let us know! |
| Thanks for listening and we’ll see you next time. Until then, bye! |
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