Society

Yahoo Japan latest to enter crowded mobile payment field

Jul 28 (Nikkei) - Internet portal operator Yahoo Japan said Friday that it will start a mobile payment service this autumn, becoming the latest to join the cashless payment bandwagon.

The move is an attempt by the SoftBank Group affiliate to challenge Line, a popular chat app operator, which has championed mobile payment in Japan. Line last month unveiled plans to roll out a mobile payment system based on quick response (QR) codes in Japan.

The moves are in line with the Japanese government's policy of spreading cashless payment. According to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, cashless transactions account for only 18% of personal expenditure in Japan, compared with 45% in the U.S. and 60% in China. The ministry wants to raise that share to 40% in 10 years.

Yahoo Japan is currently owned 36% by SoftBank Group. Earlier this month, SoftBank said it will increase its stake in the Japanese portal to 48% by purchasing shares from Altaba, formerly Yahoo, of the U.S.

Yahoo Japan earns revenues from advertisements on its portal and from the operation of auction and e-commerce sites.

Yahoo Japan enters a crowded field. In addition to Line, several other Japanese startups, such as Origami and Infcurion, have already announced plans to provide mobile payment services. Japan's three largest banks -- MUFG, Sumitomo Mitsui and Mizuho -- have already agreed to develop a QR-code based payment system together.

These companies are trying to respond to the rapid spread of Chinese mobile payment services Alipay and WeChat Pay in Asia.

Ishiba Announces New Cabinet Lineup

New Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Ishiba is moving forward with personnel appointments, aiming to appoint former Defense Minister Iwaya as the new Foreign Minister.

Hakamada Case Ends With Acquittal After 58 Years

The Hakamada case, a decades-long legal struggle, ended with an acquittal for Iwao Hakamada (88), who, along with his sister Hideko, fought for 58 years. Hakamada was suspected of the 1966 murder of a miso company executive’s family.

Japan launches information-gathering satellite on H2A rocket

A Japanese government information-gathering satellite has successfully been put into a planned orbit around Earth. (NHK)

New Red Lights for Japan's Police Cars

Japan's National Police Agency is introducing new patrol cars equipped with red lights designed to assist people with hearing impairments, flashing differently depending on whether the vehicle is on an emergency run or a routine patrol.

Over 300 New Geoglyphs Discovered by Yamagata University in Nazca

Yamagata University, which has been conducting research on the Nazca geoglyphs in Peru, announced the discovery of over 300 new geoglyphs, depicting a variety of subjects, including humans and animals.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Australia nabs four Japanese for smuggling cigarettes

Four Japanese men have been caught at an Australian airport on suspicion of trying to smuggle a large amount of cigarettes into the country. (NHK)

New Red Lights for Japan's Police Cars

Former 'Breaking Down' Representative Arrested in Fake Investment Scheme

The former representative of the martial arts event company 'Breaking Down,' Yugo Itagaki, along with two other individuals, has been arrested by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police on charges of defrauding a company executive out of 80 million yen.

Woman in Floral Mini-Skirt Targets Zoo Outlets with Mysterious Tape

Strange incidents involving a woman placing black tape on outlets have been occurring around zoos in the Izu area of Shizuoka Prefecture.

Japanese Households with Buddhist Altars Has Drastically Decreased

As the number of households with Buddhist altars continues to decline, largely due to space limitations in modern housing, wholesalers of Buddhist goods are struggling with unsold inventory.

Twelve Referred to Prosecutors for Alleged Abuse at Kuwana Festival Horse Event

Twelve individuals involved in the traditional 'Ageuma Shinji' horse event held last year at Tado Shrine in Kuwana City, Mie Prefecture, have been referred to prosecutors on allegations of violent behavior toward horses, including forcing them up steep slopes.

Man Attacks Female Student to Steal Phone

A 39-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attacking a female university student by covering her head with a bag and attempting to strangle her.

Video of Penguins Chasing Butterfly Goes Viral

A group of Humboldt penguins at Tokuyama Zoo in Yamaguchi Prefecture has captured people's hearts, as they chase a butterfly that had accidentally flown into their pool enclosure.

< 2 3 4 5 >