Tech giant Google in collaboration with prepaid card provider Rakuten Edy has introduced its digital wallet, Android Pay, in Japan.
The new contactless payments system allows users to pay for anything using their Android-based smartphone at over 470,000 locations accepting Rakuten Edy eMoney.
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At the outset, retail outlets such as Bic Camera, Family Mart, Lawson, McDonald's and Yodobashi Camera will accept Android Pay.
The owners of Android-based smartphones need to download the app from the Google Play store. After that, they will have to create a new Edy card in the app, or, if they already own a mobile Rakuten Edy, it can also be enabled in Android Pay.
Adding money to the Edy card is quick and easy in Android Pay, as users can top-up instantly in the app using their credit card or at any local store that supports Rakuten Edy top-up.
The users will have to tap their smartphone to the eMoney reader and the payment is made. Additionally, users can also add their plastic loyalty cards for supported point programmes like Rakuten Super Points.
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By GlobalDataGoogle has unveiled plans to continue working with FeliCa Networks to support more eMoney providers in 2017. It is also working with payments companies such as The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Visa and MasterCard to facilitate broader use of Android Pay.
