Japan’s Itochu Enex to pilot MasterCard PayPass technology
31 October, 2005
category: Contactless, Financial
MasterCard International has launched another Japanese pilot of its PayPass contactless credit card program, this one in cooperation with Pocket Card and Itochu Enex. Beginning this December, Car Enex Itsumo cardholders will be able to use PayPass at selected Itochu Enex service stations in Chubu, Japan.
MasterCard International has announced its collaboration with Pocket Card and Itochu Enex for a pilot launch of the MasterCard PayPass contactless payment program.
“As consumer lifestyles become ever more so demanding, with less time to go about daily activities, we seek to provide our customers with the best service possible at our outlets. MasterCard PayPass will offer our customers the convenience they’ve come to expect from Itochu Enex service stations. With this program, we look forward to seeing more frequent visits from our customers as they enjoy the simplicity, speed and convenience that the program will offer,” said a spokesperson from Itochu Enex.
“MasterCard’s PayPass technology will allow us to better serve our cardholders and enhance their payment experiences. With the convenience that this program will bring to consumers, we are expecting to see an increase in the number of cardholders as well as spend on our cards,” said a spokesperson from Pocket Card.
“The introduction of the MasterCard PayPass program with Itochu and Pocket Card is a response to the need to deliver more convenient, customized and value-added card-based solutions to consumers in Japan,” said Shuan Ghaidan, head, Product Sales and Delivery, Asia/Pacific, MasterCard International. “In the past year, we have seen significant global momentum for PayPass, as it presents a new payment avenue in any retail situation where speed is essential and convenience is paramount. We look forward to working closely with Itochu and Pocket Card in extending this pilot into a full scale program.”
MasterCard PayPass offer the additional speed, convenience and security consumers desire when paying for small ticket purchases. Using PayPass, consumers simply tap their payment card on a specially equipped merchant terminal, eliminating the need to fumble for cash and coins, hand their card over to a clerk or swipe the card. PayPass also provides better record keeping than cash.
MasterCard PayPass uses radio frequency technology to transmit payment details wirelessly between the PayPass device and the merchant’s terminal. The transaction is then processed through the MasterCard network for clearing and settlement. MasterCard PayPass acceptance is ideal for quick payment environments where speed and ease of use are essential, such as quick serve restaurants, gas stations, drug stores and movie theaters.
PayPass technology can be used in a number of different form factors. PayPass cards include magnetic stripe technology, so the cards can also be used in the traditional manner anywhere MasterCard is accepted around the world. PayPass technology can also be used in a number of devices, such as a convenient fob that fits on a key chain for easy access. Users simply tap their PayPass-enabled key fob on the PayPass reader at participating merchants and they are on their way.
This is the second MasterCard PayPass pilot program to be launched in Japan and the fourth in Asia/Pacific, including those currently being conducted in the Philippines and Taiwan.