Tokyo, Oct. 20 (Jiji Press)–East Japan Railway Co., or JR East, on Tuesday launched the “teppay” code payment service through its Mobile Suica smartphone app. The service is scheduled to become available on the Mobile Pasmo app next spring. It enables users of the apps, which are linked to the Suica and Pasmo smart transit card systems, respectively, to transfer money between their accounts. After updating the Mobile Suica app on their smartphones, users will be able to add money to their teppay accounts using their bank accounts or the View Card credit card system of the JR East group. They will then be able to use their teppay balances to top up their Mobile Suica accounts and purchase commuter passes. The maximum account balance is 300,000 yen for teppay, compared with 20,000 yen for Suica and Pasmo. About 1.7 million sites, including convenience stores and shopping malls, accept teppay payments, according to JR East. “We can provide new value to customers through the combined use of Suica and code payments,” Naoto Takamatsu, head of JR East’s payment and financial business division, said. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
