Issued credit cards in Japan 2014-2023

In 2023, the number of credit cards issued in Japan reached 308.6 million. The number increased by 2.5 percent from over 301 million cards in the previous year. 

Credit card usage in Japan

In contrast to other countries in Asia, cash has remained the preferred payment method in Japan, despite a growing share of cashless payments. Concerns regarding the use of digital payment methods have upheld the preference for cash. From the various cashless payment options available on the Japanese market, more traditional payment methods like credit cards were the leading cashless payment methods. Over the past years, new credit card sales have continuously increased, accounting for a substantial share of the private final consumption expenditure in Japan.

Cashless campaign

In October 2019, Japan raised its consumption tax rate from eight to ten percent. With the tax increase, the government introduced the cashless campaign, a rebate program intended to boost the use of cashless payments among consumers. The campaign was planned to run until the end of June 2020 - prior to the summer Olympics 2020 in Tokyo that had been scheduled to start a month later. The rebate program included cashless payment methods like prepaid smart cards, credit and debit cards, and QR code payment services.