WW-133 -- DoCoMo Launches Mobile Wallet Services

===========================================
J@pan Inc presents the Wireless Watch Newsletter:

W I R E L E S S W A T C H

Commentary on Japan's Wireless World
============================================

Wireless Watch Newsletter
Issue No. 133
Friday, July 9, 2004
TOKYO

Subscribe for FREE:
http://www.japaninc.com/newsletters/index.html?list=ww

CONTENTS

@@ Viewpoint: DoCoMo Launches Mobile Wallet Services

========= ECONOMIST CONFERENCE ==================
FOURTH INTERNATIONAL JAPAN AUTOMOTIVE ROUNDTABLE
Which road now?
July 14 2004, Tokyo
http://www2.economistconferences.com/doc/ap/jpauto04/i.htm

This is an exclusive opportunity for you to gain fresh insights into
the thinking of Japan's leading auto industry executives via serious
debate, audience interaction and networking.

Register online now at:
http://www2.economistconferences.com/doc/ap/jpauto04/r.htm

===========================================

====================== EVENT================
ICA July 15 Event - Red Hat, Enterprise Linux

PRESENTER: Ken Koike - Director, North Asia Channel Sales and
Development - Red Hat
TOPIC: The state of Linux from the Enterprise IT standpoint

RSVP required, complete event details at http://www.icajapan.jp/
Date: Thursday, July 15
Time: 6:30 Doors open, sit down dinner included
Cost: 3,000 yen (members), 5,500 yen (non-members); Open to all
Foreign Correspondents' Club
http://www.fccj.or.jp/static/aboutus/map.php

==============================================

@@ Viewpoint: DoCoMo Launches Mobile Wallet Services

DoCoMo has launched mobile wallet services on its new 506i-series
i-mode phones that are equipped with a contact-less IC-card called
Felica, a technology provided by Sony.

Felica technology is already used in Suica debit cards that allow
commuters on Japan Railways trains to pass through the ticket-gates
by simply passing the card over a reader to pay. Suica cards can be
charged at ticket-vending machines at stations. A different application
is through EDY (which stands for Euro-Dollar-Yen) cards that can be
used to pay at shops like convenience and drug stores. About 9 million
Suica and EDY cards have been issued thus far. We are frequent and
satisfied users of both cards, having never experienced technical
problems with either one.

The Felica i-mode phones will have EDY pre-integrated, enabling
easy mobile payments. Charging the mobile EDY card is possible at
shops around Japan. Bitwallet Inc. provides the settlement system
for EDY. The major shareholders of Bitwallet are Sony, DoCoMo, KDDI,
Toyota and large banks.

With Java applications downloaded from trusted member sites, the
Felica chip is accessed to check user data and purchasing history.
When browsing a mobile web site, and after agreeing to pay, the
user's payment information is transferred to the Java application
and the payment is settled through the mobile Internet.

PIA, a large ticketing agency, provides E-tickets that can be bought
and stored on the Felica chip through the mobile network. Customer
loyalty programs are also an interesting application for Felica i-mode.
Users can use their mobile handsets to add points to their card,
check how many points they have and make purchases using their
points. A newly opened entertainment complex in Tokyo's Ebisu
now accepts mobile wallet payments through EDY, and ANA airline's
frequent flyers with e-tickets can check-in with their i-modes
prior to arrival at the airport. Travelers receive their
boarding passes at the airport by passing their phones over
a reader.

It has been a while since DoCoMo introduced a revolutionary new
service -- but this time, they are well ahead of KDDI and Vodafone.
KDDI will launch mobile Felica next year; Vodafone K.K. has
not made any official announcements ... yet.

Debit card payments are already widely used in Japan, mainly
through Japan Railways. We expect that once mobile Felica takes
off on Japan Railways, with its huge customer base, the
company will start offering mobile Suica services.

After i-mode and 3G, the foreign mobile industry now
has a new reason to travel to Japan: mobile payments.
Watch this space.

-- Arjen van Blokland

================= EVENT =================
G-MAC's "2nd Annual BPM/BPO Forum 2004"
Date: July 13
Location: Aoyama Diamond Hall

This one-day forum provides a better understanding of implementing
various BPM/BPO projects thru keynotes, dedicated breakout tracks, and
case studies.

Also, leading solution providers will be presenting free Workshop
sessions providing education and information on the latest technological
advancements, proven best of breed solutions and trends in Business
Process Management & Business process Outsourcing.

Conference Fees --- FREE of charge to the first 30 registrants of the
Japan Inc news letter. Pls. refer to this when registering.
Tel 81-3-5805-6070, email: info@gmacjapan.com www.gmacjapan.com

==================================
================ FX ONLINE ==============
Want to trade Forex but banks just too expensive, too slow and, well,
just too painful?

Trade online or by the phone with FXAdvance, an English speaking
foreign-owned company right here in Japan. With only JPY2,000
commission, 100 times leverage, 3 pip transparent prices and a
no-download easy access trading platform you won't have to make
those painful trips to the bank anymore.

Try your hand with the free 30 day trial.
URL: www.fxadvance.com/en/
Email sales@fxonline.co.jp
TEL: 03-5574-7733/4
========================================
========================================
SUBSCRIBERS: 12,895 as of July 9, 2004

STAFF
Written by Arjen van Blokland; Edited by Roland Kelts
(editors@japaninc.com)

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER JAPAN-SPECIFIC NEWSLETTERS:
http://www.japaninc.com/subscribe_news.html

UNSUBSCRIBE
To unsubscribe from this newsletter, click here:
http://www.japaninc.com/unsubscribe_news.html

ADVERTISING INFORMATION
To advertise in this newsletter, contact:
ads@japaninc.com

GET THE MAGAZINE
Subscribe at:
http://www.japaninc.net/mag/subs.html

FEEDBACK AND PROBLEMS
We welcome your viewpoint:
editors@japaninc.com
(NB Please do not reply to this newsletter -- it's outgoing only,
so we won't get it!)

TECHNICAL PROBLEMS:
webmaster@japaninc.com

(C) Copyright 2004 Japan Inc Communications KK. All Rights Reserved.