February 5, 2007
GMO Payment Gateway Launches Credit Card Payment Processing Service for Municipal Governments
Tokyo Bureau of Waterworks to accept credit card payments
- GMO Payment Gateway
Tokyo – February 5, 2007 – GMO Payment Gateway (GMO-PG), the GMO Internet Group remote credit card payment processing business, will offer credit card payment processing services for municipal governments from May 1, 2007.
Today it was announced GMO-PG data processing services would be adopted by the Tokyo Bureau of Waterworks in the planned introduction of a credit card payment option for water utility payments.
Background
Today’s remote credit card payment processing market has expanded to encompass not only payment for the purchase of goods, but also payments such as utilities and public television license fees. This is a result of government promotion of strategic IT restructuring and a response to consumer demand for more flexible payment options. Last year, in the 164th ordinary session of the Diet, the Local Government Act was revised making it possible for national pension payments, national health insurance, water rates and other payments to be accepted by credit card.
The Tokyo Bureau of Waterworks will accept credit card payments beginning in the 2007 fiscal year and has decided to adopt the GMO-PG Public Sector Credit Card Payment Processing service to handle credit card payment related data including, applications, claims and inquiries.
GMO Payment Gateway Credit Card Payment Processing Service for the Public Sector
The service centralizes tasks like card validity checks, claims, and updating of card information and because it is provided as an ASP service it can be implemented in a short period of time. We also provide an online application function that accepts 3-D secure certificates.
People in Tokyo will benefit from being able to use the credit card they already have and earn points through their card company’s reward program. They will now also be able to pay all their bills on one day and better manage the household budget.
All GMO-PG offices have received the ISMS Certification Standards Ver. 2.0 certificate of compliance. These are global independent certification standards for information security management. Our customers can rest assured that our operational structure adheres to the fundamental ISMS goal; the maintenance and improvement of the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information assets.
Outlook
Private final consumption spending in Japan is currently at around ￥287 trillion a year*. Of that figure, the amount accounted for by credit card payments is no more than ￥29 trillion. Payments in the public sector, which is yet to introduce a credit card payment option, are estimated to be worth between ￥20 trillion and ￥50 trillion. We expect the introduction of credit card payment in this field to further expand the credit card market, improve efficiency in the public sector and be more convenient for the user.
GMO-PG is continuing to develop the market for utilities and other public sector payments. In 2006 we provided credit card payment processing services for NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) license fees, for public housing rental payments and meal delivery services. GMO-PG continues to strive to promote our credit card payment processing services for monthly housekeeping-related payments in addition to our online payment processing service.
*National Accounts in the 2005 fiscal year
GMO Payment Gateway Inc.
GMO PG provides credit card payment processing services for recurring payments such as CATV and NHK license fees as well as remote payments such as online stores. It is a completely safe and highly convenient service for both business and consumer. We aim to provide the payment processing infrastructure for Japan.
Media Inquiries
GMO Payment Gateway Inc. Corporate Planning Office
E-mail: [email protected]
GMO Internet Inc. Group PR Team
E-mail: [email protected]
The GMO Internet Group
The GMO Internet Group is a leading force in the Internet industry offering one of the most comprehensive ranges of Internet services in Japan. We provide web hosting, e-commerce tools, domain registration, Internet advertising, online securities trading and a host of other services to over 22 million individual and 550 000 corporate customers. Striving to redefine the industry and foster a vibrant Internet culture, the GMO Internet Group is continuously working to inspire enthusiasm in our customers and put smiles on their faces.
GMO Payment Gateway Inc.
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Company Name
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GMO Payment Gateway Inc. http://www.gmo-pg.com/
(TSE Mothers Market Code: 3769)
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Address
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Shibuya Square A, 1-9-5 Dogenzaka, Shibuya ku, Tokyo, JAPAN
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CEO
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Issei Ainoura
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Business Description
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■Credit Card Payment Processing service and related services.
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Capital
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￥649,490,000
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GMO Internet Inc.
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Company Name
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GMO Internet Inc. http://www.gmo.jp/en
(TSE First Section Code: 9449)
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Address
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Cerulean Tower, 26-1 Sakuragaokacho, Shibuya ku, Tokyo, JAPAN
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CEO
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Masatoshi Kumagai
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Business Description
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■Internet Use Support (Infrastructure)
■Internet Advertising Support (Media)
■Internet Finance
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Capital
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￥7,148,290,000
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