Launch of Expo 2025’s own e-money and reward program
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, along with its subsidiaries Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) and Sumitomo Mitsui Card Company (SMCC), and NEC have launched the operating platform for “Myakupe!”, Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai’s own e-money, and the “Myaku Myaku Reward Program”.
Launch of “Myakupe!”, Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai’s Own E-money
“Myakupe!”, built on NEC’s “Cheer Economy Platform (Digital Regional Currency Platform)”, is Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai’s own e-money that can be used both inside and outside the Expo venue. In addition to QR code payments, it can be used at stores inside the venue that accept “Visa’s touch payment” and “iD” (NTT Docomo). Furthermore, it is a convenient and new cashless payment method that can be used even before the Expo period at “Visa’s touch payment”-enabled stores and transportation, “iD”-enabled stores, and EC websites that accept Visa outside the venue.
In addition, the partners will offer a facial recognition payment service for those who use “Myakupe!” within the Expo venue. By registering facial information and payment methods in advance, customers can make payments at applicable stores with only facial recognition, without using a smartphone or credit card. This is one of the largest initiatives in Japan where an original e-money is linked to facial recognition, and the partners will provide visitors with a glimpse into the future society through “Myakupe!”.
NEC’s facial recognition has been ranked №1 multiple times in the past in facial recognition benchmark tests conducted by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
Launch of “Myaku Myaku Reward Program” Operation Platform
The SMBC Group will operate the platform for the “Myaku Myaku Reward Program” provided by the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition through the “EXPO 2025 Digital Wallet” and offer various benefits in collaboration with services from other sponsoring financial institutions and external businesses. SMBC Group will continue to work with the Association to further enhance the functions and benefits of the “Myaku Myaku Reward Program” so that everyone can enjoy the Expo even more through special experiences.
What is the “Myaku Myaku Reward Program”?
This program allows users to level up their status by “using” and “accumulating” “Myakupe!” and “Myakupo!” (the nickname for the point service provided by Resona Bank) in various places, and to receive “Myakoon!” (the nickname for the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai’s own NFT provided by SBI Holdings) original services and benefits related to Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, etc., according to their status. The program will create “the joy of using EXPO 2025 Digital Wallet”.
Leveling up your status in the “Myaku Myaku Reward Program”
The “Myaku Myaku Reward Program” has 7 status levels: Standard, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, and Legend.
The system allows users to gradually level up their status by charging “Myakupe!” and clearing various missions set in the “Myaku Myaku Reward Program”, and receive benefits according to their status.
About SMBC Group
In its medium-term management plan “Plan for Fulfilled Growth” for fiscal 2023, which is the first year of the plan, the SMBC Group has newly established “Creating Social Value: Contributing to ‘Fulfilled Growth’” as one of the pillars of its management and is promoting various activities.
The cashless payment ratio in Japan is 39.3%, which is behind other developed countries. In March 2023, the SMBC Group launched “Olive”, a new cashless service that addresses “social issues related to cashless payments”. Currently, “Olive” has over 2.3 million accounts and is contributing to the promotion of cashless payments in Japan. SMBC Group will continue to contribute to the promotion of cashless payments in Japan by providing new, futuristic cashless payment methods at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, and work towards the realization of a happy future society.
About NEC
Under its value proposition model “BluStellar”, NEC leverages its cutting-edge technologies to transform business models and lead the way in solving social issues and management challenges faced by its customers. At Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, NEC will leverage its world-leading biometric authentication technology, one of its core technologies, to implement safe, secure and reliable technologies in society through co-creation with various partners.
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