Japan
Regional Insights: Payment Gateway in Japan
Let’s look at some figures that prove the importance of the Japan payment gateway.
groups
125 million
Population
account_balance_wallet
98%
Banking users
online_prediction
116 million
Online users
Best Payment Gateway Japan Processors
Below is a table summarizing key features of the most popular payment gateways in Japan.
| Peyments gateway | Rate | Countries | Payment Methods | Fiat currencies, units | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Paycos | 9 | 0 | 20 | Open |
What Is Japan Payment Gateway: Full Guide to Understanding
A study by the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry suggested that cashless payments reached more than 30% among all Japanese transactions last 2022 and aims for a rate of 40% in 2025. This information will thus imply growing demand for proper and efficient payment gateways to satisfy both business owners and customers. In this article, we look at some of the best payment gateways, their features, and how to choose the most suitable one for your needs.
Best Payment Gateway in Japan: Interesting Facts
As Japan continues to evolve from its cash-loving culture, digital payment solutions have become increasingly sophisticated and diverse. Here are some critical facts:
- With an approximate population of 125 million people, the country is ranked number 11 in the world.
- 116 million people actively use the internet.
- About 98% of the adults in the Japanese population have banking access.
- The country has a 70% credit card penetration.
- The B2C e-commerce market for the country was estimated at around $179 billion
- E-commerce retail accounted for 7.4% of total retail sales.
These unique aspects reflect the country’s distinctive approach to financial innovation.
Payment Gateway Japan: Key Features Explained
A payment gateway technology controls online transactions between customers and businesses. It safely mediates by automatically encrypting all sensitive banking information, like credit card details, sent through the customer’s bank to the merchant’s account.
Here are the critical features of a payment gateway:
- Authentication. It ensures availability of the fund by authenticating the selected pay mode by a customer.
- Encryption. Protecting the sensitive data of the transaction.
- Settlement. Transferring funds from the customer’s account to the merchant’s account.
The right banking gateway would be able to save customers from unsatisfactory experiences, reduce failures of transactions, and make businesses expand worldwide.
Key Factors for Choosing the Most Popular Payment Gateways in Japan
A business has to select an appropriate gateway. The main points to consider when choosing the best payment getaway in Japan are:
- Security features. Ensure that the gateway gives SSL encryption, PCI DSS compliance, and fraud detection systems to secure the data of the customers and to avoid risks.
- Local transaction method support. Customers here prefer to pay with various payment options. The available methods are credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB), e-wallets (such as PayPay and Rakuten Pay), and bank transfers.
- Integration and ease of use. Ready-made integrations with Shopify, WooCommerce, or Magento will save a lot of development time.
- Transaction fees and charges. Examine the fees setup charges, transaction charges, and monthly maintenance fees they charge.
- Customer support. Reliable 24/7 customer support is essential to resolve issues quickly, especially in high-transaction environments.
- Cross-border capabilities. If your business serves international customers, choose a gateway that supports multiple currencies and global transaction methods.
- Recurring billing and subscription management. Subscriptions-based businesses cannot indulge in the luxury of a hassle-free handling of recurring payments.
- Speed and reliability. Ensure that your gateway maintains great uptimes and does not take forever to settle transactions.
Consider these factors while choosing a payment gateway in Japan that will service your business effectively and simultaneously aid customer experience.
Credit Card Payment Getaway Japan: Top Choices Revealed
Though most transaction gateways operate internationally, a few are specially designed for the Japanese market.
Paycos
Paycos
Rakuten Pay
Rakuten Pay, run by Rakuten, Japan’s biggest e-commerce website, is a secure banking gateway for merchants.
| Characteristic | Details |
|---|---|
| Registration Documents | Business registration certificate (tokibo tohon), Rakuten merchant account, bank account details, company representative’s ID, tax documents, company seal (hanko) |
| Settlement Period | T+2 to T+7 business days |
| Mobile App Integration | Rakuten Pay SDK, REST API, web payment integration |
| Onboarding Time | 2-3 weeks |
| Customer Support | Available 9:00 — 20:00 JST, dedicated merchant support team, priority support for premium merchants |
| eCommerce Platforms Supported | Rakuten Shopping platform, Shopify, EC-CUBE, Original EC integration |
| Other Integrations | Rakuten Points system, Rakuten ID login, One-Click payment, Rakuten Card integration, R-Pay |
| Dashboard | Comprehensive merchant portal in Japanese, sales analytics, Rakuten ecosystem insights, customer behaviour tracking, marketing tools, points management |
| Registration DocumentsBusiness registration certificate (tokibo tohon), Rakuten merchant account, bank account details, company representative’s ID, tax documents, company seal (hanko) | |
| Settlement PeriodT+2 to T+7 business days | |
| Mobile App IntegrationRakuten Pay SDK, REST API, web payment integration | |
| Onboarding Time2-3 weeks | |
| Customer SupportAvailable 9:00 — 20:00 JST, dedicated merchant support team, priority support for premium merchants | |
| eCommerce Platforms SupportedRakuten Shopping platform, Shopify, EC-CUBE, Original EC integration | |
| Other IntegrationsRakuten Points system, Rakuten ID login, One-Click payment, Rakuten Card integration, R-Pay | |
| DashboardComprehensive merchant portal in Japanese, sales analytics, Rakuten ecosystem insights, customer behaviour tracking, marketing tools, points management |
Pros
- Builds trust with Rakuten’s huge user base
- Simple integration with Rakuten e-commerce sites
- Increases customer loyalty with Rakuten Points
Cons
- Limited appeal to non-Rakuten customers
- Targeted mainly at Japan
LINE Pay
LINE Pay is a popular mobile banking system, included in the popular LINE messaging app.
| Characteristic | Details |
|---|---|
| Registration Documents | Business registration certificate (tokibo tohon), corporate bank account details, company representative’s ID, LINE Pay merchant agreement, tax registration documents |
| Settlement Period | T+2 to T+4 business days |
| Mobile App Integration | LINE Pay SDK for Android and iOS, WebPay API, LINE Login integration |
| Onboarding Time | 7-14 business days |
| Customer Support | Available 10:00 — 19:00 JST (weekdays), merchant support portal in Japanese, email support |
| eCommerce Platforms Supported | Shopify, EC-CUBE, WooCommerce, Cafe24, custom integration options |
| Other Integrations | LINE messaging API, LINE Points system, LINE Gift, social commerce features, LINE Mini apps |
| Dashboard | Japanese interface, sales analytics, customer transaction history, settlement management, marketing campaign tools, coupon management |
| Registration DocumentsBusiness registration certificate (tokibo tohon), corporate bank account details, company representative’s ID, LINE Pay merchant agreement, tax registration documents | |
| Settlement PeriodT+2 to T+4 business days | |
| Mobile App IntegrationLINE Pay SDK for Android and iOS, WebPay API, LINE Login integration | |
| Onboarding Time7-14 business days | |
| Customer SupportAvailable 10:00 — 19:00 JST (weekdays), merchant support portal in Japanese, email support | |
| eCommerce Platforms SupportedShopify, EC-CUBE, WooCommerce, Cafe24, custom integration options | |
| Other IntegrationsLINE messaging API, LINE Points system, LINE Gift, social commerce features, LINE Mini apps | |
| DashboardJapanese interface, sales analytics, customer transaction history, settlement management, marketing campaign tools, coupon management |
Pros
- A huge number of users in the country
- Easy to set up for customers and businesses
- Low fees for transactions
- Good loyalty and cashback rewards
Cons
- Not popular outside Japan
- Must fit into the LINE ecosystem
PayPay
PayPay is Japan’s largest mobile payment system, with millions of users throughout the nation.
| Characteristic | Details |
|---|---|
| Registration Documents | Business registration certificate (tokibo tohon), tax registration documents, representative’s ID, bank account information, merchant agreement |
| Settlement Period | Next-day settlement available (minimum T+1), with options up to T+3 |
| Mobile App Integration | Official PayPay SDK for iOS and Android, RESTful API support |
| Onboarding Time | 5-10 business days |
| Customer Support | Japanese language support available 9:00 — 21:00, merchant support portal, dedicated account manager for larger merchants |
| eCommerce Platforms Supported | Shopify, WooCommerce, EC-CUBE, Makeshop, other major Japanese platforms |
| Other Integrations | QR code payments, Mini apps within PayPay, Yahoo! Shopping integration, LINE Pay cross-platform support |
| Dashboard | Japanese/English interface, real-time sales monitoring, settlement reports, customer behaviour analysis, fraud detection tools |
| Registration DocumentsBusiness registration certificate (tokibo tohon), tax registration documents, representative’s ID, bank account information, merchant agreement | |
| Settlement PeriodNext-day settlement available (minimum T+1), with options up to T+3 | |
| Mobile App IntegrationOfficial PayPay SDK for iOS and Android, RESTful API support | |
| Onboarding Time5-10 business days | |
| Customer SupportJapanese language support available 9:00 — 21:00, merchant support portal, dedicated account manager for larger merchants | |
| eCommerce Platforms SupportedShopify, WooCommerce, EC-CUBE, Makeshop, other major Japanese platforms | |
| Other IntegrationsQR code payments, Mini apps within PayPay, Yahoo! Shopping integration, LINE Pay cross-platform support | |
| DashboardJapanese/English interface, real-time sales monitoring, settlement reports, customer behaviour analysis, fraud detection tools |
Pros
- Strong local presence and customer base
- Low business transaction fees
- Easy and quick setup process
Cons
- Limited cross-border payment capabilities
- Targeting only the Japanese market
Stripe
Stripe is a global transaction gateway with great support for local businesses.
| Characteristic | Details |
|---|---|
| Registration Documents | Business registration documents, bank account details, company representative’s ID, proof of address, tax documents, beneficial owner information |
| Settlement Period | 2-7 business days |
| Mobile App Integration | Comprehensive SDKs for iOS/Android, React Native, Flutter, Stripe Elements for web |
| Onboarding Time | 1-3 business days |
| Customer Support | 24/7 email support, chat support, extensive documentation, priority support for larger merchants |
| eCommerce Platforms Supported | Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, BigCommerce, Wix, Squarespace, and many more |
| Other Integrations | Subscription billing, invoicing, marketplace support, fraud detection (Radar), Connect platform, Stripe Terminal for in-person payments |
| Dashboard | Real-time analytics, detailed reporting, customizable dashboard, multi-user access, API logs, dispute management |
| Registration DocumentsBusiness registration documents, bank account details, company representative’s ID, proof of address, tax documents, beneficial owner information | |
| Settlement Period2-7 business days | |
| Mobile App IntegrationComprehensive SDKs for iOS/Android, React Native, Flutter, Stripe Elements for web | |
| Onboarding Time1-3 business days | |
| Customer Support24/7 email support, chat support, extensive documentation, priority support for larger merchants | |
| eCommerce Platforms SupportedShopify, WooCommerce, Magento, BigCommerce, Wix, Squarespace, and many more | |
| Other IntegrationsSubscription billing, invoicing, marketplace support, fraud detection (Radar), Connect platform, Stripe Terminal for in-person payments | |
| DashboardReal-time analytics, detailed reporting, customizable dashboard, multi-user access, API logs, dispute management |
Pros
- Great support for international and local transaction methods
- Extremely customizable for developers
- Comprehensive reporting and analytics features
- Scalable solution for growing businesses
Cons
- Marginally higher transaction fees than local gateways
- Requires technical knowledge for high-level customization
PayPal
PayPal is a well-known international banking gateway that has also gained traction in the country.
| Characteristic | Details |
|---|---|
| Registration Documents | Business registration, bank account details, valid ID proof, proof of address, business tax ID, beneficial owner information |
| Settlement Period | Instant access to PayPal balance, 1-3 business days for bank withdrawal |
| Mobile App Integration | PayPal SDK for iOS/Android, Express Checkout, Braintree SDK, REST APIs |
| Onboarding Time | 15 minutes to 1 business day |
| Customer Support | 24/7 email and hotline, merchant help center, resolution center for disputes |
| eCommerce Platforms Supported | Nearly all major platforms, including Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, BigCommerce, Wix, custom integration |
| Other Integrations | PayPal Credit, Buy Now Pay Later, Venmo, QR code payments, recurring payments, invoicing |
| Dashboard | Real-time transaction monitoring, financial reporting, customer insights, dispute management, multi-user access |
| Registration DocumentsBusiness registration, bank account details, valid ID proof, proof of address, business tax ID, beneficial owner information | |
| Settlement PeriodInstant access to PayPal balance, 1-3 business days for bank withdrawal | |
| Mobile App IntegrationPayPal SDK for iOS/Android, Express Checkout, Braintree SDK, REST APIs | |
| Onboarding Time15 minutes to 1 business day | |
| Customer Support24/7 email and hotline, merchant help center, resolution center for disputes | |
| eCommerce Platforms SupportedNearly all major platforms, including Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, BigCommerce, Wix, custom integration | |
| Other IntegrationsPayPal Credit, Buy Now Pay Later, Venmo, QR code payments, recurring payments, invoicing | |
| DashboardReal-time transaction monitoring, financial reporting, customer insights, dispute management, multi-user access |
Pros
- Strong brand with international presence
- Easy and quick setup process
- Strong buyer and seller protection policies
Cons
- Relatively higher transaction fees compared to local gateways
- Less local features specific to Japan
Amazon Pay
For Japan-based merchants, Amazon Pay is an excellent option for simplifying the checkout and increasing sales.
| Characteristic | Details |
|---|---|
| Registration Documents | Business verification documents, valid bank account details, tax information (W-9 or W-8BEN), government-issued ID, business license/registration |
| Settlement Period | 3-5 business days |
| Mobile App Integration | Native Android and iOS SDKs available, web-based integration options |
| Onboarding Time | 2-7 business days |
| Customer Support | 24/7 email support, phone support during business hours, dedicated merchant support portal |
| eCommerce Platforms Supported | Shopify, Magento, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, custom solutions via API |
| Other Integrations | Alexa voice shopping, multi-currency support, subscription payment handling, one-click checkout functionality |
| Dashboard | Real-time transaction monitoring, settlement reports, chargeback management, customer behaviour analytics, customizable reports and exports |
| Registration DocumentsBusiness verification documents, valid bank account details, tax information (W-9 or W-8BEN), government-issued ID, business license/registration | |
| Settlement Period3-5 business days | |
| Mobile App IntegrationNative Android and iOS SDKs available, web-based integration options | |
| Onboarding Time2-7 business days | |
| Customer Support24/7 email support, phone support during business hours, dedicated merchant support portal | |
| eCommerce Platforms SupportedShopify, Magento, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, custom solutions via API | |
| Other IntegrationsAlexa voice shopping, multi-currency support, subscription payment handling, one-click checkout functionality | |
| DashboardReal-time transaction monitoring, settlement reports, chargeback management, customer behaviour analytics, customizable reports and exports |
Pros
- Used by millions of Amazon customers
- Simplifies checkout for repeat Amazon customers
- Robust security options
Cons
- Restricted to Amazon account owners
- More expensive than local gateways
Google Pay
Google Pay is a highly sought-after mobile payment service. Increasing numbers of people in Japan are utilizing Google Pay.
| Characteristic | Details |
|---|---|
| Registration Documents | Business verification documents, bank account information, tax ID documentation, government-issued identification, business address proof |
| Settlement Period | 2-3 business days |
| Mobile App Integration | Native Android SDK, iOS SDK, Flutter support, web payment integration, REST API support |
| Onboarding Time | 1-5 business days |
| Customer Support | Email, integration specialists for large merchants |
| eCommerce Platforms Supported | Shopify, WooCommerce, PrestaShop, OpenCart, and others |
| Other Integrations | Smart Tap technology, Android Pay integration, Chrome autofill, Smart Lock for passwords |
| Dashboard | Transaction history, settlement tracking, transaction analytics, customer insights, customizable reporting tools |
| Registration DocumentsBusiness verification documents, bank account information, tax ID documentation, government-issued identification, business address proof | |
| Settlement Period2-3 business days | |
| Mobile App IntegrationNative Android SDK, iOS SDK, Flutter support, web payment integration, REST API support | |
| Onboarding Time1-5 business days | |
| Customer SupportEmail, integration specialists for large merchants | |
| eCommerce Platforms SupportedShopify, WooCommerce, PrestaShop, OpenCart, and others | |
| Other IntegrationsSmart Tap technology, Android Pay integration, Chrome autofill, Smart Lock for passwords | |
| DashboardTransaction history, settlement tracking, transaction analytics, customer insights, customizable reporting tools |
Pros
- Simple for Android consumers
- Secure through encryption and tokenization
- Fast and frictionless checkout
Cons
- Has a lower take-up rate than other local payment methods
- Needs Android or Google ecosystem compatibility
Skrill
Skrill is an international payment gateway recognized for offering low transaction fees and cross-border money transfer services.
| Characteristic | Details |
|---|---|
| Registration Documents | Business registration certificate, proof of identity, proof of address, bank account details, company ownership structure, AML documentation |
| Settlement Period | 3-7 business days |
| Mobile App Integration | iOS and Android SDKs, RESTful API, merchant API |
| Onboarding Time | 1-2 business days |
| Customer Support | 24/7 email support, live chat, dedicated account managers |
| eCommerce Platforms Supported | WooCommerce, Magento, OpenCart, PrestaShop, WHMCS, custom integrations |
| Other Integrations | VIP rewards program, multi-currency accounts, affiliate program integration |
| Dashboard | Real-time transaction monitoring, financial reports, currency conversion tools, risk management tools, transaction status tracking, fee analysis |
| Registration DocumentsBusiness registration certificate, proof of identity, proof of address, bank account details, company ownership structure, AML documentation | |
| Settlement Period3-7 business days | |
| Mobile App IntegrationiOS and Android SDKs, RESTful API, merchant API | |
| Onboarding Time1-2 business days | |
| Customer Support24/7 email support, live chat, dedicated account managers | |
| eCommerce Platforms SupportedWooCommerce, Magento, OpenCart, PrestaShop, WHMCS, custom integrations | |
| Other IntegrationsVIP rewards program, multi-currency accounts, affiliate program integration | |
| DashboardReal-time transaction monitoring, financial reports, currency conversion tools, risk management tools, transaction status tracking, fee analysis |
Pros
- Best suited for cross-border business and freelancers
- Competitive fee on cross-border transactions
- Customer and merchant friendly interface
Cons
- Less acceptance within the local Japanese market
- Customer support response time may not be consistent
FAQ
What banking system is used in Japan?
There are other Japanese payment options as well, like PayPay, LINE Pay, Rakuten Pay, and Konbini Payments.
What is the largest payment processor in Japan?
One of the largest and most utilized Japanese payment platforms is PayPay. There are many who use it, and it’s accepted by multiple online and retail stores.
What is the best Japanese pay site?
The choice of the best Japanese banking website depends on your company and what you and your customers need.
What is the most popular digital banking method in Japan?
QR code transactions are the most used digital banking method in Japan. The most popular players in this segment are PayPay, LINE Pay, and Rakuten Pay.
