Japanese consortium to build ‘metaverse economic zone’ where avatars can authorise digital payments

Japanese gamified ‘metaverse economic zone’ graphic

A consortium of Japan-based financial services and technology providers is to develop a ‘metaverse economic zone’ where consumers will be able to create a digital twin or ‘auto learning avatar’, access digital experiences and authorise payments to merchants and service providers with a digital authentication credential or ‘multi magic passport’ (MMP)... More




What's New in Payments

Tokyo Racecourse to replace betting slips with contactless cards and biometrics

Fujitsu’s cashless betting machines use palm vein authentication to support Japan Racing Organization — Fujitsu — “The betting machines will allow users to place bets without using cash by simply holding their hands out to the machine and using their JRA-Umaca contactless membership card… The purchase information is recorded on the JRA-Umaca card making it unnecessary to print a paper betting ticket, and if they make an accurate prediction, winnings will be paid out to the JRA-Umaca card automatically.”


What's New in Payments

Palm vein biometric payments to be pilot tested in Japanese convenience stores

Aeon and Fujitsu launch field trial of cardless payments using biometric authentication technology — Fujitsu — “Aeon Credit Service and Fujitsu will begin a field trial of a cardless payment system using Fujitsu’s palm vein biometric authentication technology. Starting in September 2018, the trial will take place in selected Ministop convenience stores. This initiative will be Japan’s first example of palm vein authentication-type cardless payments at actual retail stores.”


What's New in Payments

Japanese banks to pilot blockchain-based mobile payments service

Fujitsu to conduct blockchain field trial of money transfer service with three major Japanese banks — Fujitsu — “Fujitsu will develop a cloud-based blockchain platform for money transfers between individuals that can be jointly used by these three major banks, as well as a smartphone application that allows users to easily handle the different steps for sending money and for making deposits and withdrawals.”






NTT Docomo rolls out Fido biometrics platform in Japan

NTT Docomo

NTT Docomo has become the world’s first mobile network operator (MNO) to deploy Fido authentication throughout its network, allowing it to replace passwords for millions of customers across its services with a range of enhanced authentication methods including both fingerprint- and iris-based biometrics... More



NFC World

Fujitsu unveils smart ring with NFC

Fujitsu's NFC ring

Fujitsu Laboratories has developed a wearable ring-style device targeted for use by factory and building workers that offers a handwriting-in-the-air functionality and NFC to enable the lookup of relevant documentation and instructions with a tap of a finger... More



CaixaBank invests in contactless ATMs

Spain’s CaixaBank has signed a €500million agreement with Fujitsu for the delivery of a new network of 8,500 ATMs equipped with contactless readers “capable of scanning cards, mobile phones and wearables”... More





NFC World

Japanese library adds NFC tags

A tag in use at the Hanno City Library

A library in the city of Hannō, Japan, is using NFC tags attached to bookshelves to provide readers with access to a range of services, designed to transform it from the traditional concept of a lending library into a modern “problem solving” service for local citizens... More