October 20, 2026, 1:30 p.m. (JST)
[Japan] Credit card companies, international card brands, and related players are working to strengthen B2B payments in Japan. Corporate payment cards are divided into “business cards” aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), sole proprietors, and startups; “corporate cards” targeted at mid-sized and large corporations; and “purchasing cards” primarily intended for mid-sized and large enterprises.In the corporate payments sector, usage patterns are evolving due to factors such as compliance with the invoice system and the revised Electronic Bookkeeping Preservation Act, as well as corporate digitization and digital transformation (DX), including efforts toward paperless operations and operational efficiency.
Compared to cashless payments for consumers, the B2B payments sector is still dominated by bank transfers and has significant room for growth. In B2B transactions, where bank transfers have traditionally been the norm, the use of invoice card payments—which allow payment via credit cards and other methods—is expanding.Additionally, we are seeing the emergence of financing services that calculate future sales based on historical data to “convert future revenue into present cash,” the automation of invoice processing using AI and OCR, real-time cross-border B2B payments, and the increasing adoption of B2B credit terms.
Furthermore, collaboration between banks and credit card companies has become increasingly prominent in recent years. Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and Sumitomo Mitsui Card are expanding the functionality of “Trunk,” a comprehensive digital financial service they jointly provide for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and newly established corporations. Resona Holdings has formed a capital and business alliance with JCB to expand services in areas such as corporate credit cards and B2B payments.Mizuho Bank acquired UPSIDER and launched “UPSIDER BANK by MIZUHO,” while also stepping up its efforts to promote startup financing and the “UPSIDER” corporate credit card. Additionally, in partnership with Rakuten Card, it issues the “Rakuten Business Card Platinum” for corporate clients.
In this special feature, we interview key players in the B2B payments sector to provide an overview of current industry trends.
〇We will sequentially cover
developments at JCB, Orico, Saison, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Club, UC, and others. *Presented by Paymentnavi Pro
