Apple announced that the newly launched iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus and Apple Watch Series 2 will bring customers in Japan the ability to use Apple Pay, beginning in October. Apple Pay will also arrive in two more countries this fall - New Zealand and Russia.
The iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus and Apple Watch Series 2 sold in Japan will support FeliCa Type-F NFC contactless technology, which is developed by Sony and being used every day for more than 160 million transactions across Japan.
Japanese users can commute and pay for everyday items with Suica, prepaid e-money card from East Japan Railway company, and make convenient and private credit and prepaid card purchases in stores, apps and on the web with a single touch. Apple Pay will be accepted anywhere Suica is available, so users can make quick everyday purchases and buy or reload a Suica card or commuter pass, all with their iPhone.
In addition, Apple is introducing support for transit in Japan with Maps in iOS 10, so commuters can easily find ride details, including fare breakdowns that automatically show Suica pricing right on their device, making their commute more seamless and simpler than ever.
Apple Pay will also support many of the most popular Japanese credit and prepaid cards, said Apple. In addition, online shopping in apps and on websites accepting Apple Pay is as simple as the touch of a finger with Touch ID, so there’s no need to manually fill out lengthy account forms or repeatedly type in shipping and billing information.
Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO
Apple Pay will transform your daily routine, from making your commute easier and more convenient than ever with Suica right on your iPhone 7 and Apple Watch Series 2, to using your favorite cards to make secure and private purchases with a single touch.
Tetsuro Tomita, president and CEO of East Japan Railway
For iPhone 7, we redesigned an entirely new experience from the ground up so our customers can enjoy the ease and security of using Apple Pay while commuting, in our app and in stores with Suica.