Report

PSA e-Commerce: Japan’s Cashless Penetration Rate Tops 36%

Thao Nguyen looks at the current issues in Japan’s cashless market as the penetration rate reaches a record high.
Underlyings
Fujitsu Limited

Fujitsu is the parent company of a group engaged in the information and communication technology businesses. Technology Solutions segment provides system integration, application development and integration, system consulting, IT and business process outsourcing services, cloud computing, SAP and Oracle applications services and managed infrastructure services (network and communication, technical and maintenance and service desk services). The segment also offers security platforms, servers, storage systems and software. Ubiquitous Solutions segment offers desktop PCs, notebook PCs, mobile phones and wearable devices. Device Solutions segment offers LSI devices and electronic components.

GMO Financial Gate (4051 JT)

KDDI Corporation

KDDI is a telecommunications company. Along with its affiliates, Co. operates in four principal business segments: personal, value, business, and global. Co. is engaged in the sale of mobile handset; and the provision of mobile telecommunication services under "au" brand name, Internet contents, settlement service, and electronic money service for individual customers. Co. offers information and communication technology ("ICT") solution services and data center services for domestic corporate customers, overseas companies and individual customers. Co. is also involved in the call center business, the research and technological development, and the telecommunication facilities maintenance.

MASTERCARD INCORPORATED

Mastercard is a technology company in the global payments industry. The company's solutions enabling consumers to use electronic forms of payment instead of cash and checks. The company provides a range of payment solutions and services using its brands, including Mastercard?, Maestro? and Cirrus?. The company is a multi-rail network that provides customers one partner to turn to for their domestic and cross-border payment needs. The company has additional payment capabilities that include automated clearing house transactions. The company also provides offerings such as cyber and intelligence products, information and analytics services, consulting, loyalty and reward programs and processing.

Mercari Inc.

Rakuten Inc.

Rakuten is mainly engaged in the Internet-related business. Along with its affiliates, Co. operates in two business segments. The Internet Services segment is engaged in the operation of electronic commerce sites, including an Internet shopping mall "Rakuten Ichiba," an online cash back site, a travel booking site, portal sites and digital contents sites; the sale of advertising on Co.'s sites; the provision of messaging and communication services; and the management of a professional baseball team "Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles." FinTech segment is engaged in the provision of Internet banking services and online securities trading services, and the credit card and life insurance businesses.

Recruit Holdings Co. Ltd.

Recruit Holdings is a holding company. Through its affiliates, Co. operates in four business segments: marketing media, HR media, staffing, and other. Marketing Media segment is engaged in the provision of information on housing, bridal, post-secondary education for high school students, automobiles, lodging accommodation, restaurants, and beauty salons. HR Media segment is engaged in the provision of services that offer employment information to job seekers both in Japan and overseas. Staffing segment is engaged in the provision of staffing services in Japan and overseas. Other segment is engaged in the planning, operation, outsourcing, and other of digital content services.

SoftBank Corp.

SoftBank Group Corp.

SoftBank Group is a holding company. Domestic Telecommunications business provides mobile communication services, mobile devices, broadband services to retail customers, and telecom services to corporate customers in Japan. Sprint business provides mobile communication services and fixed-line telecommunication services in the U.S. Yahoo Japan business operates Internet-based advertising and e-commerce business. Distribution business distributes mobile devices overseas, and sells software and mobile device accessories in Japan. ARM business designs microprocessor intellectual property and related technology. SoftBank Vision Fund & Delta Fund business is engaged in the investment activities.

Visa Inc. Class A

Visa is engaged in digital payments. The company facilitates payments between consumers and businesses. The company is focused on its proprietary network, VisaNet, to provide products and services. The company provides a portfolio of business payment solutions, including small business, corporate (travel) cards, purchasing cards, virtual cards/digital credentials, non-card cross-border business-to-business payment options and disbursement accounts, covering various main industry segments around the world. The company also provides several capabilities and services, including fraud prevention and security, processing, loyalty, merchant and digital solutions, consulting and data solutions.

Z Holdings Corporation

Yahoo Japan is engaged in the provision of Internet advertising and e-commerce services. Media Business segment provides marketing and advertising services including paid search, display, in-feed video advertising and other advertising-related services for corporations; and Yahoo! News and media-related services. Commerce Business segment provides e-commerce related services including YAHUOKU! (net auction site), Yahoo! Shopping, ASKUL, LOHACO and other shopping websites; membership services including Yahoo! Premium, Yahoo! BB and other services; and financial and payment-related services including credit card, e-money, foreign exchange margin trading and other related services.

Provider
Pelham Smithers Associates Ltd
Pelham Smithers Associates Ltd

Founded in 2009, Pelham Smithers Associates (PSA) provides market intelligence on Asian technology, focusing in particular on Japan. The industries covered by our team of specialists are: consumer electronics, telecomms, pharmaceuticals, internet, electronic parts and materials, automotive technology, retail and capital goods. 

PSA produces both company and sector reports. The focus of PSA’s research is to identify winners and losers as new technologies impact the top and bottom lines of corporations. Critical to our research is the clear explanation of how these new technologies work and how they impact companies and industries. 

The founding partners have worked closely together for twenty years and the team has more than doubled in size since 2012. 

Analysts
Thao Nguyen

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