Fitbit Pay now available in Japan in collaboration with Sony Bank WALLET
This post was originally published on the Fitbit press site. It has been adapted from its original format.
Fitbit announced today that Fitbit Pay is now available in Japan for the first time, in partnership with Sony Bank and its cash card “Sony Bank WALLET”, as well as Visa Debit.
Fitbit Pay allows you to make contactless payments by tapping the corresponding Fitbit smartwatch or tracker on contactless payment terminals. Fitbit Pay makes it quick and easy to make secure payments without pulling out your wallet or phone – something consumers are doing more of to avoid contacting commonly touched surfaces in public. In Japan, by registering a Visa Debit card with Fitbit Pay, you can make payments at Visa contactless payment compatible stores. Fitbit Pay provides secure payments through the Visa Token Service, so that users’ card information is never revealed to or shared with merchants or Fitbit. Users are required to set up their Fitbit device to require a PIN to be entered at the time of wearing their devices on wrist, for an added layer of protection.
“Today’s launch of Fitbit Pay in Japan takes us one step closer toward the government’s plans of making Japan a cashless society. The Japanese have always embraced new technologies that make life simpler and more convenient. Contactless payments are becoming increasingly popular in Japan and the current socio-economic environment has resulted in a surge among users looking for such solutions,” said Steve Morley, Vice President of International Health Solutions & General Manager of Asia Pacific at Fitbit.
“We are always thinking of ways to provide highly convenient services to our customers,” said Keiji Minami, Executive Office in charge of Product Planning, Sony Bank. “We are delighted to be able to offer Fitbit Pay for the first time in Japan and are happy to offer customers this easy to use experience. As a company we will continue to work together to provide additional new services in the future.”
"We are very pleased that Japanese consumers will be able to make smart, speedy, safe and secure payments using their wearable devices with the support of Fitbit Pay,” said Stephen Karpin, President, Visa Worldwide Japan. “Visa Debit is an immediate payment service that is very convenient for everyday payments. Visa will continue to work with partners to provide more innovative digital payment options.”
According to the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI), the current ratio of cashless payment stands at about 20 percent in the country in comparison to an average range of 40 to 60 percent in other developed nations. The Ministry previously announced aims to double the usage of cashless payment in Japan to 40 percent by 2025, and eventually to a world-leading 80 percent[1]. In addition, among the new lifestyle habits encouraged by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in today’s environment, the use of electronic payment is recommended, highlighting that payment with a wearable device that does not require card delivery can provide added safety and convenience to consumers. The launch of Fitbit Pay is aimed at contributing to the expansion and promotion of cashless payment in Japan.2
Fitbit Pay is supported by Fitbit Charge 4, the company’s most advanced health and fitness tracker with built-in GPS that was launched in April, along with Fitbit Ionic and the Fitbit Versa family of smartwatches. Fitbit Pay can be used at thousands of stores where Visa contactless payments are accepted.
