Finance:Waon

From HandWiki
Short description: Japanese electronic money system
Waon Card

Waon (ワオン) is a Japanese electronic money system introduced by ÆON in April 2007. It is a rechargeable contactless smart card. Like many other smart card systems in Japan, it uses RFID technology developed by Sony known as FeliCa. Its name comes from waon (和音), meaning chord.[1][2] The card's official mascot is a white dog.[1] The card reader makes a "waon" sound upon successful transaction, a Japanese onomatopoeia for dog barks.[1]

Unlike the nanaco card issued by Seven & I Holdings, the basic Waon card can be purchased without any registrations. Like other FeliCa-based systems, Waon has a mobile payment system, known as Mobile Waon.

Types of cards

  • Waon Card: A basic prepaid card that does not require registration.
  • Waon Card Plus: A card for ÆON Card holders. Accepts postpay as well.
  • ÆON Card (Waon Card integrated): A credit card.

Waon Card is issued by ÆON, while other two cards are issued by AEON Credit Service.[1]

Usable stores

As of September 2007:

  • 130 stores in Kantō region, Yamanashi, and Niigata
    • AEON Shopping Center
    • AEON Supercenter
    • AEON Tower Pharmacy
    • Carrefour
    • Diamond City
    • JUSCO
    • Karadalab
    • Kids Kyōwakoku
    • Marinpia
    • MaxValu
    • Mega Mart
    • Ministop
    • My Basket
    • MYCAL (Saty and Vivre)

Within 2008:

  • 23,000 stores of AEON Group in all Japan[1]

In Kantō region, AEON Group stores accept Suica, iD, and PASMO as well.[2] For other regions, they plan to accept other cards such as ICOCA or TOICA.

All JAL Mileage Bank cards issued in Japan built-in with Waon. However, JAL Mileage Bank cards issued overseas does not feature this function.

See also

  • List of smart cards
  • Electronic money
  • Edy
  • nanaco

References