JCB to Implement a Demonstration Experiment to Promote Shopping for International Visitors

Jan 29, 2016 14:00 JST

Source: JCB

TOKYO, Jan 29, 2016 - (JCN Newswire) - JCB Co., Ltd., the only international payment brand based in Japan, announced that it will start a demonstration experiment on 1 February in Tokyo and Hokkaido in cooperation with JTB Corp. (JTB), Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) and Japan Shopping Tourism Organization (JSTO). JCB will analyze traffic patterns and payment data of international visitors to Japan by providing information on shopping, drinking, eating, and special offer services and by giving visitors a card type coupon, JCB PREMO, with a value of 1,000 yen in order to promote purchases.

It is important for Japan to have a way to understand the different needs of international visitors and provide optimized information in order to increase visitor satisfaction and promote sightseeing and shopping during their stay. In this demonstration experiment, various types of information such as shopping, special offers merchants, and sightseeing is delivered to smartphone app users in several languages and by location.

JCB PREMO, a card type coupon, is provided as a gift to customers who use the app. JCB will analyze attribute data entered by users, app log data, location information and JCB PREMO payment history.

Kenji Yamauchi, Executive Vice President, Domestic Acquiring Business of JCB said, "We aim to improve providing information to international visitors by checking how effective it is for marketing and enhancing the smartphone app and analysis technology. We will continue to do demonstration experiments in more areas as well as aim to contribute to regional activation as a solution to bring more customers to destinations outside the Tokyo metro area."

Overview of the demonstration experiment

1. Tokyo

Period: 1 to 20 February 2016
Tools: JCB PREMO and Japan Travel Guide*
Target: 500 visitors
Description:
-- Establish a special desk at Keio Plaza Hotel and do a campaign for downloading Japan Travel Guide.
-- JCB PREMO, a card type coupon that has a value of 1,000 yen, is provided as a gift to customers who use the app.
-- The customer can top up JCB PREMO at Lawson, a chain of convenience stores.
-- Japanese traditional products and pass tickets for museums and art galleries in Tokyo are given to international travelers to Japan at different timing during the experiment in order to verify changes in their actions.
* Japan Travel Guide: An app for sightseeing operated by JTB Group and NTT Group for international visitors to Japan.

2. Hokkaido

Period: 1 to 29 February 2016
Tools: JCB PREMO and Japan Shopping Navi**
Target: 3,000 visitors
Description:
-- Travel agencies in Taiwan, Thailand, China, and other countries give written announcements of this demonstration experiment to customers who use New Chitose Airport, Hokkaido during the demonstration experiment period.
-- JCB PREMO, a card type coupon, is handed over to the customers at the airport desk.
-- When the customers enable JCB PREMO, they get a value of 1,000 yen free.
-- The customers can top up JCB PREMO at Lawson.
** "Japan Shopping Navi" is an app for shopping information provided by JSTO

About JCB

JCB is a global payment brand and a leading credit card issuer and acquirer in Japan. JCB launched its card business in Japan in 1961 and began expanding worldwide in 1981. Its acceptance network includes about 29 million merchants and over a million cash advance locations in 190 countries and territories. JCB cards are now issued in 19 countries and territories, with more than 91 million card members. As part of its international growth strategy, JCB has formed alliances with more than 350 leading banks and financial institutions globally to increase merchant coverage and cardmember base. As a comprehensive payment solution provider, JCB commits to providing responsive and high-quality service and products to all customers worldwide. More information about JCB is also available on the website: www.jcbcorporate.com/english

Note: JCB statistics are as of the end of September 2015.

Contact
Ayako Tanaka
JCB International Co., Ltd.
Corporate Planning
Phone: +81-3-5778-8390
Email: jcbinternational-pr@info.jcb.co.jp

Source: JCB
Sectors: Cards & Payments