Topic: Cashless payments in Japan (2024)

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Financial Services

Japan is well-known for its technological advancements, but when it comes to cashless payments, it lags behind its neighbors and other economies. Cash is still king in Japan, but digital payment usage is steadily gaining traction. Digital payments made up 39.3 percent of the private consumption expenditure in 2023, almost reaching the government’s target of 40 percent by 2025.

Most used cashless payments methods

Digital payments include all types of payments that do not require the exchange of cash, such as card payments and mobile payments. Various digital payment options are available to consumers in Japan, ranging from credit cards and debit cards to electronic money and smartphone payment services.

Credit cards remain the most widely used digital payment method in Japan, not only for in-store purchases but also for online shopping. They accounted for over 83 percent of the cashless payment value in 2023, followed by QR code payments, electronic money, and debit cards. In terms of payment volume, credit cards have lost share to QR code payment services, which have become increasingly popular in recent years. Used as a payment option for small amounts in convenience stores and supermarkets, QR code payments have recently overtaken contactless e-money as the second most popular digital payment option.

Promotion of cashless payments

Japanese consumers have long held a preference for cash, which is considered a safe and reliable payment method. When it comes to digital payments, many are concerned about the potential leakage of their private information and overspending. On the other hand, consumers consider the convenient payment process and reward programs to be the most attractive aspects of cashless payments.

The government has actively promoted cashless payments in recent years. A major step towards expanding the use of non-cash payments was the cashless campaign and point reward program, launched in October 2019 along with a consumption tax hike. Cashless payments further received a boost from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This has resulted in the share of cashless payments in Japan rising from 24.1 percent in 2018 to 39.3 percent in 2023.
In April 2023, the government lifted a ban on digital wage payments, allowing employees to receive salaries in the form of digital money via non-bank fund transfer service providers. As more consumers use digital payments in their everyday lives and the government continues to promote a cashless society, cashless payment usage in Japan is likely to expand in the coming years.

This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.

Published by Statista Research Department, Apr 30, 2024

Key insights

Cashless payment ratio in Japan: 39.3%

Detailed statistics

Cashless payment ratio in Japan 2014-2023

Most used cashless payment method: Credit cards

Detailed statistics

Most used cashless payment methods in Japan 2024

Value of transactions with e-money: 6.4tr JPY

Detailed statistics

E-money transaction value Japan 2014-2023

Get more insights

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

PaymentsLeading payment methods among Japanese online buyers 2022

PaymentsCashless payment ratio in Japan 2013-2022, by payment method

PaymentsIssued credit cards in Japan 2014-2023

Further recommended statistics

Overview

Premium Statistic Cashless payment ratio in Japan 2014-2023
Premium Statistic Value of cashless payments in Japan 2014-2023, by payment method
Premium Statistic Cashless payment volume in Japan 2018-2022, by payment method
Premium Statistic Distribution of the cashless payment volume in Japan 2019-2022, by payment method
Premium Statistic Amount spent per cashless payment transaction in Japan 2020-2022, by payment method
Premium Statistic Most used cashless payment methods in Japan 2024

Overview

Premium Statistic Cashless payment ratio in Japan 2014-2023
Cashless payment ratio in Japan 2014-2023
Ratio of cashless payments in Japan from 2014 to 2023
Premium Statistic Value of cashless payments in Japan 2014-2023, by payment method
Value of cashless payments in Japan 2014-2023, by payment method
Value of cashless payments in Japan from 2014 to 2023, by payment method (in trillion Japanese yen)
Premium Statistic Cashless payment volume in Japan 2018-2022, by payment method
Cashless payment volume in Japan 2018-2022, by payment method
Number of cashless payment transactions in Japan from 2018 to 2022, by payment method (in millions)
Premium Statistic Distribution of the cashless payment volume in Japan 2019-2022, by payment method
Distribution of the cashless payment volume in Japan 2019-2022, by payment method
Distribution of the cashless payment volume in Japan from 2019 to 2022, by payment method
Premium Statistic Amount spent per cashless payment transaction in Japan 2020-2022, by payment method
Amount spent per cashless payment transaction in Japan 2020-2022, by payment method
Average amount spent per cashless payment transaction in Japan from 2020 to 2022, by payment method (in Japanese yen)
Premium Statistic Most used cashless payment methods in Japan 2024
Most used cashless payment methods in Japan 2024
Most used cashless payment methods in Japan as of March 2024

Credit cards

Premium Statistic Credit card sales in Japan 2014-2023
Premium Statistic Issued credit cards in Japan 2014-2023
Premium Statistic Distribution of credit card contracts in Japan 2023, by age group
Premium Statistic Distribution of credit card contracts in Japan 2023, by age group and gender
Premium Statistic Transaction value of the credit card industry in Japan 2014-2023, by type of issuer
Premium Statistic Values of credit sales transactions in Japan 2014-2023, by sales channel

Credit cards

Premium Statistic Credit card sales in Japan 2014-2023
Credit card sales in Japan 2014-2023
Value of credit card purchase transactions in Japan from 2014 to 2023 (in trillion Japanese yen)
See Also
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Premium Statistic Issued credit cards in Japan 2014-2023
Issued credit cards in Japan 2014-2023
Number of credit cards issued in Japan from 2014 to 2023 (in millions)
Premium Statistic Distribution of credit card contracts in Japan 2023, by age group
Distribution of credit card contracts in Japan 2023, by age group
Distribution of credit card contracts in Japan as of December 2023, by age group
Premium Statistic Distribution of credit card contracts in Japan 2023, by age group and gender
Distribution of credit card contracts in Japan 2023, by age group and gender
Distribution of credit card contracts in Japan as of December 2023, by age group and gender
Premium Statistic Transaction value of the credit card industry in Japan 2014-2023, by type of issuer
Transaction value of the credit card industry in Japan 2014-2023, by type of issuer
Value of transactions in the credit card industry in Japan from 2014 to 2023, by type of issuer (in trillion Japanese yen)
Premium Statistic Values of credit sales transactions in Japan 2014-2023, by sales channel
Values of credit sales transactions in Japan 2014-2023, by sales channel
Value of credit sales transactions in the credit card industry in Japan from 2014 to 2023, by sales channel (in trillion Japanese yen)

Debit cards

Premium Statistic Debit card transaction value in Japan FY 2015-2022
Premium Statistic Debit card transaction volume in Japan FY 2015-2022
Premium Statistic Amount spent per debit card transaction in Japan FY 2015-2022
Premium Statistic Number of debit cards issued in Japan FY 2015-2022

Debit cards

Premium Statistic Debit card transaction value in Japan FY 2015-2022
Debit card transaction value in Japan FY 2015-2022
Debit card transaction value in Japan from fiscal year 2015 to 2022 (in trillion Japanese yen)
Premium Statistic Debit card transaction volume in Japan FY 2015-2022
Debit card transaction volume in Japan FY 2015-2022
Number of transactions with debit cards in Japan from fiscal year 2015 to 2022 (in millions)
Premium Statistic Amount spent per debit card transaction in Japan FY 2015-2022
Amount spent per debit card transaction in Japan FY 2015-2022
Average amount spent per debit card transaction in Japan from fiscal year 2015 to 2022 (in Japanese yen)
Premium Statistic Number of debit cards issued in Japan FY 2015-2022
Number of debit cards issued in Japan FY 2015-2022
Number of debit cards issued in Japan from fiscal year 2015 to 2022 (in millions)

Electronic money

Premium Statistic E-money transaction value Japan 2014-2023
Premium Statistic E-money transaction volume in Japan 2014-2023
Premium Statistic Amount spent per e-money transaction in Japan 2014-2023
Premium Statistic Number of e-money instruments issued in Japan 2014-2023
Premium Statistic Number of e-money instruments issued on mobile phones in Japan 2014-2023
Premium Statistic Average amount of e-money spent per household Japan 2015-2023

Electronic money

Premium Statistic E-money transaction value Japan 2014-2023
E-money transaction value Japan 2014-2023
Value of transactions with electronic money in Japan from 2014 to 2023 (in trillion Japanese yen)
Premium Statistic E-money transaction volume in Japan 2014-2023
E-money transaction volume in Japan 2014-2023
Number of transactions with electronic money in Japan from 2014 to 2023 (in billions)
Premium Statistic Amount spent per e-money transaction in Japan 2014-2023
Amount spent per e-money transaction in Japan 2014-2023
Average amount spent per electronic money transaction in Japan from 2014 to 2023 (in Japanese yen)
Premium Statistic Number of e-money instruments issued in Japan 2014-2023
Number of e-money instruments issued in Japan 2014-2023
Number of pre-paid electronic money instruments issued in Japan from 2014 to 2023 (in millions)
Premium Statistic Number of e-money instruments issued on mobile phones in Japan 2014-2023
Number of e-money instruments issued on mobile phones in Japan 2014-2023
Number of pre-paid electronic money instruments issued on mobile phones in Japan from 2014 to 2023 (in millions)
Premium Statistic Average amount of e-money spent per household Japan 2015-2023
Average amount of e-money spent per household Japan 2015-2023
Annual average amount of expenditure using electronic money per household in Japan from 2015 to 2023 (in Japanese yen)

QR code payment services

Premium Statistic QR code payment value at stores in Japan 2018-2023
Premium Statistic In-store QR code payment value in Japan 2022-2023
Premium Statistic QR code payment volume at stores in Japan 2018-2023
Premium Statistic Value of money transfers via QR code payment services in Japan 2018-2023
Premium Statistic Volume of money transfers via QR code payment services in Japan 2018-2023
Premium Statistic Number of active users of QR code payment services in Japan 2018-2023

QR code payment services

Premium Statistic QR code payment value at stores in Japan 2018-2023
QR code payment value at stores in Japan 2018-2023
Value of QR code payments made at stores in Japan from 2018 to 2023 (in trillion Japanese yen)
Premium Statistic In-store QR code payment value in Japan 2022-2023
In-store QR code payment value in Japan 2022-2023
Value of QR code payments in physical stores in Japan from 2022 to 2023 (in trillion Japanese yen)
Premium Statistic QR code payment volume at stores in Japan 2018-2023
QR code payment volume at stores in Japan 2018-2023
Number of QR code payments made at stores in Japan from 2018 to 2023 (in millions)
Premium Statistic Value of money transfers via QR code payment services in Japan 2018-2023
Value of money transfers via QR code payment services in Japan 2018-2023
Value of money transfers via QR code payment services in Japan from 2018 to 2023 (in billion Japanese yen)
Premium Statistic Volume of money transfers via QR code payment services in Japan 2018-2023
Volume of money transfers via QR code payment services in Japan 2018-2023
Number of money transfers via QR code payment services in Japan from 2018 to 2023 (in millions)
Premium Statistic Number of active users of QR code payment services in Japan 2018-2023
Number of active users of QR code payment services in Japan 2018-2023
Number of active users (MAU) of QR code payment services in Japan from 2018 to 2023 (in millions)

Consumer insights

Premium Statistic Cash usage frequency compared to six months ago in Japan 2024
Premium Statistic Reasons for using cashless payment methods in Japan 2024
Premium Statistic Major incentives encouraging use of cashless payment in Japan 2024
Premium Statistic Cashless payment service ownership rate in Japan 2022, by method
Premium Statistic Leading payment methods among Japanese online buyers 2022
Premium Statistic Most used cashless payment services in Japan 2023

Consumer insights

Premium Statistic Cash usage frequency compared to six months ago in Japan 2024
Cash usage frequency compared to six months ago in Japan 2024
Frequency of using cash compared to six months ago in Japan as of March 2024
Premium Statistic Reasons for using cashless payment methods in Japan 2024
Reasons for using cashless payment methods in Japan 2024
Leading reasons for using cashless payment methods in Japan as of March 2024
Premium Statistic Major incentives encouraging use of cashless payment in Japan 2024
Major incentives encouraging use of cashless payment in Japan 2024
Leading incentives to increase the use of cashless payment methods in Japan as of March 2024
Premium Statistic Cashless payment service ownership rate in Japan 2022, by method
Cashless payment service ownership rate in Japan 2022, by method
Ownership ratio of cashless settlement services in Japan as of November 2022, by payment method
Premium Statistic Leading payment methods among Japanese online buyers 2022
Leading payment methods among Japanese online buyers 2022
Preferred payment methods for online purchases among digital buyers in Japan in 2022
Premium Statistic Most used cashless payment services in Japan 2023
Most used cashless payment services in Japan 2023
Usage rate of different cashless payment services in Japan as of April 2023

Payment method usage

Premium Statistic Usage rate of credit cards in Japan 2023, by age group
Premium Statistic Usage rate of electronic money in Japan 2023, by age group
Premium Statistic Usage rate of QR code payment apps in Japan 2023, by age group
Premium Statistic Usage rate of international brand debit cards in Japan 2023, by age group
Premium Statistic Usage rate of Buy Now, Pay Later services in Japan 2023, by age group

Payment method usage

Premium Statistic Usage rate of credit cards in Japan 2023, by age group
Usage rate of credit cards in Japan 2023, by age group
Usage rate of credit cards in Japan as of April 2023, by age group
Premium Statistic Usage rate of electronic money in Japan 2023, by age group
Usage rate of electronic money in Japan 2023, by age group
Usage rate of FeliCa-based electronic money in Japan as of April 2023, by age group
Premium Statistic Usage rate of QR code payment apps in Japan 2023, by age group
Usage rate of QR code payment apps in Japan 2023, by age group
Usage rate of QR code payment apps in Japan as of April 2023, by age group
Premium Statistic Usage rate of international brand debit cards in Japan 2023, by age group
Usage rate of international brand debit cards in Japan 2023, by age group
Usage rate of international brand debit cards in Japan as of April 2023, by age group
Premium Statistic Usage rate of Buy Now, Pay Later services in Japan 2023, by age group
Usage rate of Buy Now, Pay Later services in Japan 2023, by age group
Usage rate of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services in Japan as of April 2023, by age group

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FAQs

Topic: Cashless payments in Japan? ›

This has resulted in the share of cashless payments in Japan rising from 24.1 percent in 2018 to 39.3 percent in 2023. In April 2023, the government lifted a ban on digital wage payments, allowing employees to receive salaries in the form of digital money via non-bank fund transfer service providers.

Keep Reading ›

What is the most used payment method in Japan? ›

Credit cards were the top choice, experiencing a 16% increase to 93.7 trillion yen. Debit card payments also saw a rise, increasing by 19% to 3.2 trillion yen. QR code payments showed significant growth, surging by 50% to 7.9 trillion yen, while e-money saw a more modest uptick of 2%.

View Details ›

What is the cashless vision in Japan? ›

In April 2018, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry proposed the 'Cashless Vision', which aims to increase cashless to 40% of all transactions by 2025 and ultimately to 80%.

Get More Info ›

What is the issue with cashless payment? ›

Identity theft and compromised personal information are potential dangers in a cashless economy, but privacy might be compromised in other ways too. When you pay digitally, you always leave a digital footprint, and this footprint is easily monitored by financial institutions.

Explore More ›

What are the payment trends in Japan? ›

Surprisingly, consumers still pay for 8% of online transactions with cash. Japanese shoppers complete 39% of all online purchases using a mobile device, up from just 27% as recently as 2020. Seventy-six percent of Japanese have a credit card, but online shoppers use cards in just 64% of all transactions.

Learn More Now ›

Is cashless payment common in Japan? ›

This has resulted in the share of cashless payments in Japan rising from 24.1 percent in 2018 to 39.3 percent in 2023. In April 2023, the government lifted a ban on digital wage payments, allowing employees to receive salaries in the form of digital money via non-bank fund transfer service providers.

Show Me More ›

Do Japanese people pay with cash or card? ›

Even though cards are widely accepted in Japan, there are various places that take cash only. Some of Japan's most beautiful landmarks, including castles, Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines only accept cash at the entrance.

Read On ›

What country is nearly cashless? ›

Just fill in our quick form. Norways is the most cashless country, with only around 2% of payments being made by cash, and 100% of the population having a bank account.

Find Out More ›

Does Japan still use cash in 2024? ›

The widespread acceptance of cash in Japan was a common reason for its use, according to a survey conducted from February to March 2024. Around 44.4 percent of respondents stated they used cash because it is accepted at most places.

Which banks are not going cashless? ›

Westpac, ANZ, CommBank and NAB have ruled out going cashless, but the banks have shuttered branches across regional Australia, leaving some customers without the option to bank with cash.

See Details ›

Why shouldn't the US go cashless? ›

The downsides of going cashless include less privacy, greater exposure to hacking, technological dependency, magnifying economic inequality, and more. Credit and debit cards, electronic payment apps, mobile payment services, and virtual currencies in use today could pave the way to a fully cashless society.

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Why are people against cashless society? ›

A cashless society offers a range of benefits such as convenience, transparency and stability. However, there are concerns about financial exclusion , privacy and security. It has been suggested that disadvantaged groups are most likely to be disproportionately affected by the transition away from cash.

View Details ›

What method of payment does Japan use? ›

Cash: Upholding Tradition

Cash remains a prevalent and deeply ingrained mode of payment in Japan. Despite the global surge in digital transactions, many local businesses, especially smaller establishments like traditional eateries (izakayas) or local markets, prefer cash.

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What is typical Japanese pay? ›

Understanding Average Salary in Japan

As of May 2023, the average annual salary in Japan is 6,170,000 Japanese Yen (JPY) or around 45,453 USD. This figure provides a snapshot of the labor market's financial landscape, making Japan a noteworthy consideration for companies looking to expand or outsource.

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Why is Japan's cash rate so low? ›

“The saga of ultra-low interest rates in Japan reflects the fact that the Japanese economy suffered from secular stagnation and also from mild but persistent deflation for the past 20 years.

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What is the most used credit card in Japan? ›

Powered by Mastercard and JCB, Orico Card is one of the most popular credit cards in Japan, with 11 million users. The card is issued by Orico, a financing company that issues loans. Orico's “The Point Card” is their most popular credit card plan, which has no annual or monthly fees.

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What do Japanese use to pay? ›

Credit cards are amongst the most widely used electronic payments in Japan. They are accepted in various places, including department stores, shopping malls, restaurants, convenience stores, hotels, and taxis, making them a necessity for travelers.

Keep Reading ›

What is the payment method in Japanese? ›

Alongside debit and credit cards, prepaid cards are also popular in Japan, with brands including BitCash. Cash use in Japan is still significant, used in 13 percent of transactions.

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Is debit card widely used in Japan? ›

Credit, debit and prepaid cards of international brands are generally accepted throughout the country. There will be instances where stores may not display the symbols of the cards they accept, so ask the salesperson if you can use your card.