JCB and Resona target hands-free bus payments in Japan

They plan to roll out UWB payments requiring no tapping or scanning.

JCB, a Japanese payment card brand, banking group Resona Holdings and tech solutions provider ODAWARA have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop and implement ultra wideband wireless payments in public buses.

Ultra wideband wireless or UWB enables payments without the need to scan QR code payments, tap smartphones, and scan devices, JCB said.

JCB, Resona, and ODAWARA will commence technical and payment verification in FY2026, exploring precise boarding and alighting data capture.

The three expect to proceed with small-scale commercial rollouts in FY2027, and a full-scale commercial deployment in FY2028.

In Japan, bus drivers are increasingly burdened by managing diverse payment methods and assisting passengers with fare inquiries, JCB said in a statement. This causes delays during peak hours.

The bus industry is also facing driver shortages and an aging workforce, JCB said.

With UWB, passengers can board and alight the bus without needing to take out their smartphones, wallets, or cards when boarding or exiting the bus, it said.