With ETC, the electronic toll collection system, drivers use a small transponder to automatically pay tolls at tollgates without having to stop and pay cash. A JCB card is inserted in the transponder beforehand, and wireless data exchange between the smart card and sensors at the tollgates calculate the toll and charge it to the driver's JCB card. Not only do drivers save time, but traffic congestion is reduced at tollgates as well, advantages that have led to ETC systems being implemented in many countries around the globe.

JCB has been involved in initiatives to promote ETC card use in the Japanese market since 2000, when JCB participated in the ETC pilot project together with the Ministry of Construction (the current Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation) and other public corporations. JCB continues to hold the top position in terms of both number of cardholders and ETC sales volumes.