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JCB trials mobile wallet in Japan

Japanese card brand JCB announced it is working with Dai Nippon Printing on a one month mobile wallet trial. The product is supposed to launch sometime in 2013.

JCB said its mobile wallet will handle payments, point programs, discounts and some addition features that will be unique to its product.

"JCB has developed and released a number of smartphone apps including the JCB Travel Guide with multiple destination that has special discounts and offers for JCB cardmembers visiting those destinations to provide our unique value to cardmembers." said Tac Watanabe, EVP for brand infrastructure and technologies at JCB. "The new JCB Mobile Wallet platform is another approach to further meet customer needs and provide JCB's unique values to customers, including making payments using points, managing multiple loyalty programs, and exchanging points with friends."

DNP is providing the platform for the JCB Mobile Wallet. DNP has already partnered with mobile wallet provider C-SAM to offer a white label solution in the Asia-Pacific market.

The JCB Mobile Wallet trial will include discounts and special offers at merchants in the Tokyo's Omotesando shopping district. The effort will look at app usability and test functions such as exchanging points for discount coupons and exchanging points among users, JCB said.

According to JCB, its mobile wallet will be released first in Japan, with a potential for subsequent rollout in other markets.

For more stories on this subject, visit the mobile/virtual wallet research center.