Apple Pay goes live in Japan

Apple Pay is now live in Japan, enabling local iPhone and Apple Watch users to make payments in stores and on public transportation services that support the widely used Sony FeliCa-based Japanese NFC payments system.

applepayfrance200Apple announced in September 2016 that the iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus and the second generation Apple Watch would be equipped with Sony FeliCa NFC technology so that Japanese consumers could make Apple Pay transactions at locations equipped to support the local contactless payments variant.

The launch has not been without issues, however, with commuters using JR East’s Mobile Suica service reporting problems registering their train passes onto their iPhones, recharging funds and buying express tickets.

“East Japan Railway Co said users are experiencing difficulties connecting to the Mobile Suica contactless payment system, after the rail operator servicing Tokyo metropolitan area began accepting Apple Pay today,” Bloomberg reports. “JR East said Tuesday’s problems were due to the large number of attempts to access the service.”

As well as Suica, credit and prepaid card issuers supporting Apple Pay in Japan include American Express, iD, QuicPay, AEON, Credit Saison, JCB, Mitsubishi UFJ Nicos, Orient Corporation, Sumitomo Mitsui Card, Toyota Finance, UC Cards and View Card.

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