Consumer demand for a better life is infinite. As for JCB, the smart card is simply another necessary step in achieving our real objective of bringing higher quality service and a better life to JCB cardmembers all over the world. Our real objective can only be reached by responding sincerely to every customer need based on our fundamental philosophy "Service from the Heart."

JCB is actively committed to making sure that JCB cardmembers can take full advantage of the multi-functionality that smart card technology makes possible.

JCB designed its own credit application for smart cards, which called J/Smart. J/Smart is compliant with EMV de-facto standards for smart card credit and debit transactions, and works on any common operating systems. The J/Smart application is standardized to properly meet the precise needs of our partners.




JCB has been working closely with key manufacturers and system integrators worldwide to put J/Smart capable products and infrastructure in place. This provides strong support to JCB partners in launching smart card projects anytime they want.




JCB began full-scale rollout of the J/Smart card in December 2001 in Japan. Internationally, the first J/Smart card issuing project was launched in September 2002 in Taiwan. We saw our first cross-border J/Smart transaction in March 2002 in the UK, and we are now preparing to deploy J/Smart capable terminals throughout Europe. Other EMV migration projects all over the world are in the planning stages, and scheduled for implementation quite soon.




As an international payment brand, JCB is actively participating in a number of industry associations in order to ensure that our partners are able to make a smooth transition to the smart card. Our expertise is built on our EMV activities in the varied roles of payment brand, issuer and acquirer in the Japanese market, a depth and breadth of know-how that forms a solid basis for assisting our partners worldwide.