CICC TOKYO DAYORI vol.103

Without realizing it, I have come to rely on mobile xxx in my daily
life. Mobile banking, mobile payments, etc.

Both are very convenient. Mobile banking can be used anytime, anywhere.
It seems like a distant memory to be constrained by bank opening hours
and ATM availability.

Mobile payments are not only convenient because I can pay with just a
touch, but it's also nice to earn cash points.
Even if those points earned each time are small, they will add up to a
considerable amount before I know it, and I can use them for shopping.
No matter how much cash I spend, I will not get such benefits.

According to Japanese government, the ratio of cashless payments for
fiscal year 2024 in Japan is 42.8%, achieving the government's target of 40%.
The figure was more than 141 trillion yen, or over 949 billion dollars.
(the Cashless payment’s breakdown: Credit card, Debit card, electric
money, Cord payments )*

I was enjoying the convenience of mobile payment method, but I recently
encountered a small problem.
I had left my wallet at home when I went out. I confess that I've been
doing this a lot lately. Normally, it's not a problem, but…
The problem arose when I had to pay at the dentist's office.
They said that insurance-covered treatment must be paid for in cash.
This doesn't happen at large hospitals.
I realized this was part of the remaining 58% that could not be paid cashless.
I said I would definitely pay it tomorrow, and somehow managed to leave
the dentist's office that day.

I am well aware that it was my fault for leaving my wallet at home, but
I sincerely hoped that this inconvenience would be resolved quickly.

SHIRAKURA Hiroko

*Ref:”2024 Ratio of Cashless Payment Among the Total Amount Paid by
Consumers Calculated”
https://www.meti.go.jp/english/press/2025/0331_001.html#:~:text=As%20part%20of%20the%20efforts,boost%20the%20ratio%20to%2080%25.

<Topics of Industries>

(1) Fujitsu and Nagoya University develop simulation tech to combat
transportation gaps
https://global.fujitsu/en-global/newsroom/gl/2025/07/24-01

(2) Fujitsu and Acer Medical trial AI service that assesses future
disease risk in elderly patients through gait pattern abnormality detection
https://global.fujitsu/en-global/newsroom/gl/2025/07/16-01

(3) Hitachi and the University of Tokyo develop dynamic pruning
technology that speeds up Big Data retrieval time by up to 135 times
https://www.hitachi.com/New/cnews/month/2025/06/250619a.html

(4) All Nippon Airways and Hitachi Unveil Japan's First Airline
"Operations Brain" System, Enabling Rapid, Optimal Flight Schedule
Revisions During Disruptions
https://www.hitachi.com/New/cnews/month/2025/07/250715.html

(5) SJC2 optical submarine cable in operation
https://www.nec.com/en/press/202507/global_20250718_03.html

(6) AUG East Consortium and NEC to develop high-capacity submarine cable
system across East Asia
https://www.nec.com/en/press/202507/global_20250716_01.html

(7) Cathay United Bank partners with Avaloq to establish first onshore
private bank in Taiwan’s new Kaohsiung Asset Management Hub
https://www.nec.com/en/press/202507/global_20250714_03.html

(8) Yachiyo Engineering and NEC launch adaptation finance study in
Indonesia to calculate the adaptation value of disaster prevention measures
https://www.nec.com/en/press/202507/global_20250704_02.html