Japanese payment option: JCB
JCB (Japan Credit Bureau) is an international credit card system founded in Japan in 1961. Not only is it the leading online payment method in Japan, but it’s also popular in other countries as well. JCB issues an assortment of JCB brand cards and co-branded cards with Visa, MasterCard, and other partners.
Here are some key facts:
JCB Card Distribution
Japanese Credit Card provider JCB issues millions of cards every year and, as of 2014, there were more than 84 million JCB credit cards in circulation worldwide. While the majority (67.1 million) of JCB cardholders reside in Japan, the card is issued in 16 other regions in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and in the US. Over 17.4 million JCB cardholders are outside of Japan and projections indicate further foreign growth.
JCB Card Usage
According to JCB, their branded credit cards are used to make more than USD $199 billion in processed volume each year. JCB expects its sales to continue growing steadily in the next years, especially as more online companies accept JCB card payments.
JCB Card Acceptance
JCB cards are widely accepted in more than 190 countries worldwide and the card company is forging relationships with more global affiliates to help increase use of JCB card in markets outside of Asia.
Japanese Credit Card Usage Online
Japanese users are famously infatuated with games, digital content purchases, and mobile purchases; their preferred methods of payment include JCB cards as well as Mobile Payments and Cash payments via kiosks in convenience stores. Japanese Banks issue MasterCard and Visa cards as well, but JCB has a special place in the Japanese economy due to its identity as a Japanese Payment Option. By accepting JCB credit cards, you’ll be opening the floodgates to an enormous market of Japanese customers making online purchases with JCB.
How to accept JCB credit card payments
If you’re already a Paymentwall merchant, it’s easy to start accepting JCB cards; simply log in to your Paymentwall merchant account. From the My Applications tab, click Payment Systems and activate JCB Card by moving the slider below it to the On position. Your application will automatically update to accept JCB Card.
If you are not a Paymentwall merchant, register for a Paymentwall merchant account and use our documentation guide to integrate our API into your website or application.