March 26, 2007
Osaka Becomes First Municipal Government to Accept Credit Card Payments
GMO Payment Gateway to Provide Credit Card Payment Processing ASP Service
- GMO Payment Gateway
Tokyo – March 26, 2007 -- GMO Payment Gateway (GMO-PG), the GMO Internet Group company remote credit card payment processing business, will provide credit card payment processing services to the Osaka municipal government beginning April 2, 2007.
Outline
In a bid to create a “virtual Osaka”, the Osaka government has introduced online processing of all applications and filings. As of April 2, users will be able to pay the fees attached to these processes by credit card over the Internet. Osaka is the first municipal government in Japan to introduce online application processing.
A total of 40 procedures will be available online including blowfish dealer registrations, chef license applications and enrollments in short courses. Many procedures that previously required the applicant to go to the municipal office can now be fully processed, from application to payment, over the Internet.
GMO-PG, a payment processing ASP business, will provide the credit card payment processing services that make it possible for the Osaka government to offer electronic application processing.
Data is transmitted in a safe environment and we use the same 3-D secure protocol as international credit card companies Visa, MasterCard and JCB to protect against data falsification and leakage.
Background
In the current remote credit card payment processing market, an environment where consumers seek flexible payment options and government is promoting strategic IT restructuring, we are not only attempting to expand our business in the retail industry but also in what is now known as the C-to-G market that includes public utilities such as electricity and gas and public television license fees. Last year, in the 164th ordinary session of the Diet the Local Government Act was revised and it became possible for payments such as national pension payments, national health insurance and water rates to be made by credit card.
Since then GMO-PG has been entrusted with credit card records for payments of NHK license fees and from this year we will provide services to Fujisawa city for the payment of light vehicle taxes as well as to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Waterworks .All GMO-PG offices have obtained the ISMS Certification Standards Ver. 2.0 certificate of compliance. These are global independent certification standards for information security management so customers can feel safe using our services.
The Osaka government chose our service based on our past performance and reputation for information security.
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.
*National Accounts in the 2005 fiscal year
Related Links (All links are to Japanese only sites unless otherwise indicated)
Guide to Electronic Application Procedures: http://www.pref.osaka.jp/f_menu/index.asp
GMO Payment Gateway Inc.
GMO-PG provides credit card payment processing services for recurring payments such as CATV and NHK fees as well as remote payments such as online stores. It is a completely safe and very convenient service for both businesses and consumers. 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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￥3,311,113,000
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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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