Number of credit cards issued in Japan 2015-2024

In 2024, the number of credit cards issued in Japan reached 313.6 million. The number increased by 1.6 percent from 308.6 million cards in the previous year. 

Credit card usage in Japan

In contrast to other countries in Asia, cash has remained the preferred payment method in Japan, despite a growing share of cashless payments. Concerns regarding the use of digital payment methods have upheld the preference for cash, but consumers are increasingly seeing the benefits of digital payments. There are various cashless payment options available on the Japanese market. With credit cards, a more traditional payment method has been the leading non-cash payment method for the past years.

Cashless campaign

In October 2019, Japan raised its consumption tax rate from eight to ten percent. With the tax increase, the government introduced the cashless campaign, a rebate program intended to boost the use of cashless payments among consumers. The campaign was planned to run until the end of June 2020 - prior to the summer Olympics 2020 in Tokyo that had been scheduled to start a month later. The rebate program included cashless payment methods like prepaid smart cards, credit and debit cards, and QR code payment services.