November 12, 2026, 8:00 a.m. (JST)
[Japan] On October 27, 2026, MP Solution (MP) held a media roundtable for members of the press titled “A Unique ‘Event DX’ Strategy Using Cashless Payments to Overcome Labor Shortages, Communication Disruptions, and Inbound Tourism.”At the roundtable, Naoki Suzuki, Director and Head of the Merchant Business Division at MP—a provider of cashless payment services—discussed “the background behind the increasing adoption of cashless payments and the company’s unique on-site support measures that underpin its success.”Additionally, Mr. Ryuichi Watanabe, Representative Director and Producer at Kante—a Sapporo-based company that organizes numerous events—explained “Real-World Challenges at Event Venues and Concrete Results Following the Adoption of Cashless Payments,” using actual photos and case studies.
Barriers
to Event Operations: Communication, Extreme Heat, and Operations Initially, the Era of Promoting Electronic Money
MP was founded in 2006 and is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The company began by introducing cashless payment options for food and beverage vending machines. Through its “JMMS” service for unmanned machines, it is increasing the number of “IM10” and new “IM28” models installed.
In the event industry in particular, addressing “chronic labor shortages,” “rapid growth in inbound tourism demand,” and “the need for diverse payment methods” has become an urgent priority.Against this backdrop, while the adoption of cashless payments is advancing rapidly, there are obstacles that cannot be overcome simply by implementing a system—such as “communication issues,” “terminal overheating due to extreme heat and direct sunlight,” and “operational burdens on on-site staff,” which are unique to outdoor and short-term events.
The company offers “KAZAPi” as a payment terminal for retail stores.The number of installations at events grew from 8 orders in 2015 to 55 in 2025. Chronic labor shortages, the growth of inbound tourism, the diversification of payment methods, and increasing hygiene awareness are driving this growth. Projects have been implemented from Hokkaido to Okinawa, and the number continues to rise year by year.
To ensure the success of events, the company provides support that includes meetings with organizers, handling applications with payment processors, arranging terminals, and performing initial setup. It must also handle unexpected situations, such as last-minute changes to vendor booths. During the event period, the company provides individual operational briefings just before the start, maintains an on-site presence for immediate troubleshooting, and implements detailed measures—such as countermeasures against the intense heat seen in recent years.
Looking back at the company’s history of event support, the period around 2014 marked the era of electronic money promotion led by companies such as Aeon. Aeon, in collaboration with local governments, promoted “Local WAON” cards featuring unique designs, and initiatives to encourage their use were implemented at events such as the “Sapporo Snow Festival” in Sapporo, Hokkaido.The company supported payments at these events by installing “MST” electronic money terminals equipped with 3G connectivity, which can operate as long as a power source is available.
Starting around 2018, other electronic money brands such as nanaco followed suit alongside WAON. This period also marked a time when the company accumulated operational know-how for events.
Around 2019, momentum grew
for credit card payment support This included services for international visitors to Japan, such as for rugby and the TOKYO 2020 Olympics
The company began supporting credit card payments in 2019. At the request of Mastercard, it installed the “S920-F” mobile cashless payment terminal at concession stands and official shops for the “2019 Rugby World Cup.” The request was made because, at the time, there were only a limited number of handheld terminals capable of processing credit card payments.Furthermore, this was a period when the inbound tourism economy was booming, driven not only by Abenomics’ push to make Japan a tourism-oriented nation but also by events such as “TOKYO 2020.”
Furthermore, by further overcoming the challenges posed by its location, the company has expanded its capabilities to handle payment scenarios not only on land but also at sea.
Equipped with a Mobile Wallet; initially supported
QR scanners In recent years, full multi-payment terminals have been in demand
Starting around 2023, support for QR Code Payments was fully implemented. In response to strong demand from event venues, the S920 terminal was equipped with a Mobile Wallet app for QR Code Payments. By connecting a QR code scanner via Bluetooth, the system became capable of processing payments via CPM.
Furthermore, the S920F features a built-in battery, making it suitable for locations such as event venues where power supply is unstable. Leveraging this advantage, it is also being utilized for payment scenarios at event venues. While this payment system operates without issue during regular in-store transactions, Mr. Suzuki confides, “It was a bit of a struggle at event venues.”In addition to the increased management burden of terminals, scanners, and cables, staff must also be mindful of communication and Bluetooth connections in the crowded conditions typical of events. In particular, during an era when 3G and 4G LTE networks were used in parallel, payment communications were impacted at events with large numbers of attendees.
Around 2024, the need for full multi-payment terminals supporting credit card payments, electronic money, and QR Code Payments grew. Around that time, the company adopted the “A920,” the successor to the S920F, to handle multiple payment methods with a single device.By transitioning electronic money to a thin-client model, startup processing times were reduced, improving on-site usability. Additionally, improvements in battery quality extended the operational runtime of the payment terminals.
How are we handling extreme heat? QR Code Payments are seeing
increased transaction volume thanks to MPM support Event DX through the utilization of payment data
Extreme heat became a significant issue around 2024, posing risks such as system blackouts caused by direct sunlight and charging interruptions due to the device overheating. To address this, we produced and distributed white protective cases.
At event venues, stable communication and rapid transaction processing are critical. Therefore, we promptly conducted on-site radio wave surveys and requested local signal amplification from telecommunications carriers through our Money Brand channels.
We also developed our own “KAZAPi-QR” POP for MPM, which supports multi-QR Code Payments. This consolidated the proliferation of QR Code Payment methods into a single solution. Using the MPM system, we routed visitors’ payments through their smartphones, enabling transactions without requiring staff intervention.This reduced wait times at the register and increased customer turnover, leading to more efficient operations. Furthermore, by centrally managing everything from contract signing to production in-house, the company has achieved even greater operational streamlining.
By offering both the “KAZAPi-A920SB”—the current flagship payment terminal—and “KAZAPi-QR” as a unified service, the administrative process for merchant contracts can be completed in a single step. Event organizers also reportedly appreciate the ability to consolidate sales revenue processing.
Looking ahead, the company aims to utilize payment data to visualize peak times during crowded periods and optimize layout designs for future events.Furthermore, it is possible to analyze visitor demographics and purchasing patterns based on the usage ratios of credit cards, electronic money, and QR Code Payments. Additionally, the company plans to extract data such as country-specific purchasing trends and consumption amounts by time of day from card-issuing country data and utilize this information for visitors to Japan.
Kante, which partners with MP, provides comprehensive production services—from planning and production to venue setup, staging, and operations—in fields such as events, sports, music, and regional promotions. With a focus on cashless payments, the company offers a one-stop solution covering planning, production, venue operations, and staging. Leveraging its expertise in event-specific setup and operations, the company effectively manages crowd congestion and radio wave conditions.Mr. Watanabe stated, “Event digital transformation (DX) will be realized through service improvements tailored to on-site conditions and a robust support system.” He noted that events involve not only payment brands, organizers, vendors, and attendees but also companies that provide operational support and infrastructure, resulting in multifaceted benefits.
