Japan – FinDeskAsia

Illustration of a Japanese traffic ticket with a QR code being paid on a smartphone

October 24, 2026 FinDeskAsia

Japan Will Let Drivers and Cyclists Pay Traffic Fines by Card and App From July 2027

Japan’s National Police Agency will add QR codes to traffic tickets from July 2027, letting offenders pay minor fines by credit card, smartphone app or online banking instead of queuing at a bank. Here is how it will work and what it means for Japan’s cashless push.

Illustration of a phone paying with a yen coin to a Korean won payment terminal

Cross-Border & Remittance

October 22, 2026 FinDeskAsia

South Korea’s Shinhan Card and Japan’s SBI to Test Yen Stablecoin Payments for Travellers

Shinhan Card has signed a deal with two SBI Group units to test whether Japanese visitors can pay in South Korea with a yen stablecoin, and whether the same digital tokens can speed up trade settlement between the two countries.

Illustration of three bank buildings linked to a single gold yen coin and a globe, representing a jointly issued yen stablecoin for cross-border payments

Cross-Border & Remittance

October 19, 2026 FinDeskAsia

Japan’s Megabanks Complete Joint Yen Stablecoin Pilot for Cross-Border Payments

Mizuho, MUFG and SMBC have tested a single, jointly issued yen stablecoin to settle payments between Mitsubishi Corporation and its overseas offices. Backed by Japan’s Financial Services Agency, the banks now aim for live commercial transactions before the end of March 2027.