JCB and GLN agree to accept Korean code payment services at Smart Code merchants

TOKYO, Dec 14, 2023 - (JCN Newswire) - JCB Co., Ltd, Japan's leading international payment brand, has agreed to enable Korean code payment service*1 provided by GLN at Smart Code merchants in Japan by the end of FY2023. This will enable users of Korean code payment services such as GLN, KEB Hana Bank and KB Kookmin Bank to shop at Smart Code merchants in Japan. This is the second case of an international code payment service provider adopting Smart Code, following KASIKORNBANK in Thailand.

South Korea has the largest number of travelers to Japan, with 5,525,900*2 South Korean visitors travelling to Japan between January and October 2023. There is a growing demand in Japan for access to code payment services available in Asia in order to capture inbound tourism spending, but as the specifications for code payment services vary among payment service providers, there has been a system and operational burden for merchants to adopt code payments.

In response to those, JCB is collaborating with GLN to enable the acceptance of international code payments at Smart Code merchants in Japan by making GLN’s payment network Smart Code compliant. Merchants adopting Smart Code will be able to accept international code payments without the need for additional contracts or system and operational support.

*1 Payment service providers using GLN’s global payment network (including those planned). To be expanded in due course.

Code payment service provider

Payment service name

Country

GLN International Inc

GLN

South Korea

Toss

KEB Hana Bank

Hana1Q, Hana Money

KB Kookmin Bank

KB Star Banking

*2 Number of Foreign Visitors (October 2023 estimate). Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO)

About Smart Code

Smart Code is a payment scheme designed to reduce the workload and costs of code payment service providers and merchants, and to provide consumers with secure and reliable payments. JCB provides the data center for processing payment information, linking the payment providers and merchants and centralizing the contracts between them. For more information on Smart Code, click here.

About JCB

JCB is a major global payment brand and a leading credit card issuer and acquirer in Japan. JCB launched its card business in Japan in 1961 and began expanding worldwide in 1981. Its acceptance network includes about 43 million merchants around the world. JCB Cards are now issued mainly in Asian countries and territories, with more than 154 million cardmembers. As part of its international growth strategy, JCB has formed alliances with hundreds of leading banks and financial institutions globally to increase its merchant coverage and cardmember base. As a comprehensive payment solution provider, JCB commits to providing responsive and high-quality service and products to all customers worldwide. For more information, please visit: www.global.jcb/en/

Contact
Ayaka Nakajima
Corporate Communications
Tel: +81-3-5778-8353
Email: jcb-pr@info.jcb.co.jp