AirPAY, a Payment Service for Retailers That Supports Credit Cards, Electronic Money, QR Codes, and Points, to Begin Handling UnionPay from January 2020

With 27 types in total, the service supports the industry's largest number of payment methods.

Recruit Lifestyle announced that AirPAY will begin handling the international card brand UnionPay, starting January 2020.  AirPAY is a payment service for retailers that supports credit cards, electronic money, QR codes, and points. 

About AirPAY: https://airregi.jp/payment/

Background

AirPAY is a payment service for stores that accepts cards, electronic money, QR codes, and points. It requires only a single card reader and either an iPad or iPhone to support payment methods. With the launch of UnionPay in January 2020, AirPAY will support a total of 27 payment methods.

The "Cashless Vision" announced by the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry  aims to increase Japan’s cashless ratio from  20% to 40% by 2025, and in the future to 80%, the highest level in the world.  The promotion of cashless transactions is to increase convenience for domestic consumers and the growing number of foreign visitors to Japan.

AirPAY has partnered with more than 2,000 institutions internationally,  currently issuing cards in 58 countries and regions, and is starting to accept UnionPay, which is used in 177 countries and regions.

Recruit will continue to support stores by making it easy to use any means of payment with just one AirPAY and eliminating the inconvenience of cashless payments for both stores and consumers.

Three Values of AirPAY

1. Supports the industry's largest number of payment methods
With the handling of UnionPay, AirPay now supports 27 types of payment methods.

2. Subsidies for terminal installation and settlement fees
AirPAY is registered as a "cashless merchant support provider (B-type payment provider)" to provide support to stores under the "The Point Reward Project for Consumers using Cashless Payment" launched by the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry in October 2019. By introducing AirPAY, you can take advantage of government subsidies.

Subsidies for AirPAY

• Specific subsidies for AirPAY
  Subsidy for introducing terminals: The "Cashless 0 yen Campaign" provides a dedicated card reader, allowing stores to introduce the service without the burden of additional costs.

• Subsidy for settlement fees
  During the "The Point Reward Project for Consumers using Cashless Payment" period, the settlement fee, normally 3.24% or 3.74%, will be reduced to 2.16%. 
  *Although UnionPay is not subject to "The Point Reward Project for Consumers using Cashless Payment" program, Recruit Lifestyle will offer a merchant fee of 2.16% only at stores that apply for this campaign. During the same period, Recruit Lifestyle will pay one-third of the merchant fee.
  *Please note that this campaign is subject to change or termination without notice.

3. Smoothly handle everything from order entry to checkout by linking with AirREGI
You can conveniently complete the checkout process by linking with AirREGI, a free and easy-to-use POS application, and tapping the payment method. There is no need to remember different operation methods for each terminal, reducing potential for error.

About UnionPay

UnionPay International (UPI) is the international subsidiary of China UnionPay. UPI has partnered with more than 2,000 institutions globally and currently issues cards in 58 countries and regions, and is accepted in 177 countries and regions.

UnionPay International provides high-quality, secure, and affordable cross-border payment services to one of the world's largest cardholders and a growing number of merchants worldwide.

About AirPAY

AirPAY is a payment service that can use credit cards, electronic money, QR codes, or points, with UnionPay available beginning January 2020. AirPAY supports seven major international credit card brands, nine types of nationwide transportation electronic money such as Suica and PASMO, as well as Apple Pay and other payment methods.

AirPAY supports the industry's largest number of payment methods, with 27 in total. As for optional services, AirPAY supports Alipay, the largest mobile payment app in China, WeChat Pay, as well as domestic services such as LINE Pay, d Barai, and AirPAY QR, which supports PayPay. It also handles AirPAY Points which can be used for T POINT, Ponta, and WAON POINT. All of the methods can be used with either an iPad or iPhone and a dedicated card reader.

Click here to read the original press release.