QR Codes are everywhere in Japan. And there’s a reason for that. After all the QR Code technology was born here.
From cashless payments to interactive advertisements, these simple yet powerful codes have become an essential part of daily life.
Japan has fully embraced its potential, making everyday activities smoother and more convenient.
In this article, we’ll explore the role of QR Codes in Japan. We’ll see how they’re reshaping industries, their growing adoption rates, and real-world examples of businesses using them innovatively.
Let’s begin!
A. The rise of QR Codes in Japan
Do you know the story of the QR Codes? It’s pretty fascinating. Back in 1994, DENSO WAVE, a subsidiary of Toyota, needed a better way to track automotive parts.
Traditional barcodes were too limited because they could hold only a small amount of information. DENSO needed something faster and more robust. So, they created the QR Code also called a Quick Response Code.
What made it special? The ability to store a massive amount of data, encoded in both horizontal and vertical directions made them stand out.
Barcodes were unidirectional but QR Codes were advanced. This allowed for quick scanning and processing which is essential for the fast-paced manufacturing environment.
And get this: they specifically designed it so that even if a portion of the code was damaged, it could still be read. It’s a testament to the detail-oriented engineering that is a hallmark of Japanese industry.
This innovation wasn’t just for car parts. DENSO WAVE, with foresight, made the patents open and free for public use. That was a bold move and it helped gain DENSO huge respect around the globe.
That’s a huge reason why QR Codes spread like wildfire globally. This open-source approach fostered a culture of innovation. And, this ultimately drove the adoption of QR Codes across diverse sectors.
Today, QR Codes are everywhere in Japan. They help businesses operate more efficiently and provide seamless experiences for customers.
The increasing shift towards digital transactions which skyrocketed during and post-COVID-19 pandemic, further accelerated QR Code adoption in Japan.
Notably, QR Code payments in Japan have surpassed electronic money to become the second most popular cashless payment option in the country.
B. QR Codes in Japan: Adoption and Key Statistics
QR Codes in Japan are taking over the country’s payment scene and the numbers prove it. Let’s take a look at them:
1. The QR Payment market is booming
In 2021, Japan’s QR Code payment market hit an all-time high at 9.46 trillion yen. And it’s not slowing down anytime soon as well.
Experts say it will more than double by 2026 and reach a massive projected figure of 19.76 trillion yen. That’s a clear sign that QR Codes are becoming a major part of how people pay in Japan.
2. Millions are using QR Code payments
Back in 2018, only 3.55 million people in Japan used or knew how to use QR Code payments regularly.
Fast forward to 2023, and that number jumped to a staggering 75.8 million people. That’s a huge leap in just five years time. It shows that QR Codes in Japan are not just a trend, they’re here to stay.
3. Big players are leading the way
When it comes to QR Code payments, a few major companies are leading the charge in Japan.
PayPay is one of the biggest QR payments providers, with 56.6 million registered users. Other major names like Rakuten Pay and D Barai are also driving the growth.
With these big players in the mix, QR Code payments in Japan are becoming easier and more accessible for everyone.
4. QR Codes are beating out other payment methods
Here’s an interesting twist: QR Code payments are now more popular than traditional electronic money.
They’ve become the second most-used cashless payment option in Japan. People love the ease and speed of scanning a code to pay, and businesses are catching on fast.
With numbers like these, it’s clear that QR Codes are transforming how Japan handles payments.
And as more people and businesses adopt them, their impact will only grow.
C. 15+ Real-life uses of QR Codes in Japan
Now, let’s take a look at some real-world examples of how businesses and public services use QR Codes in Japan:
1. PayPay: Japan’s leading QR Code payment service
When it comes to QR Code payments, PayPay is the undisputed leader. Launched in 2018 by SoftBank and Yahoo! Japan, it quickly became Japan’s go-to QR Code payment option.
Today, PayPay has over 56 million registered users and is accepted at 3.8 million stores across the country.
So, whether you’re grabbing a coffee or paying for groceries, chances are PayPay is an option in Japan.
2. FamilyMart’s FamiPay: Fast payments with rewards
Even Japanese convenience stores are hopping on the QR Code bandwagon. FamilyMart launched FamiPay in 2019.
With this one, customers can just scan a QR Code at the checkout to pay. It’s convenient, and fast, and it has an added bonus. Well, you basically earn reward points for each purchase.
So, no wonder this feature has gained popularity among shoppers who want speedy purchases and savings.
3. Rakuten Pay in baseball stadiums: Increasing sales by 20%
Rakuten is more than a goliath in the world of e-commerce, they’ve changed the way baseball fans purchase snacks at the games forever.
At the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles’ Stadium, Rakuten Pay‘s QR Code systems have boosted food and merchandise sales by 20%.
Fans no longer need to juggle cash or wait in long lines. Just a quick scan, and they’re back to cheering on the game.
4. QR Code ordering at Glass Dance Bar
Japanese bars are also becoming smarter every day. A notable example is of Tokyo’s Roppongi district Glass Dance Bar. Customers can order their favorite beverages directly from their table by scanning a QR Code.
This system speeds up services, minimizes wait times, and enables employees to be more efficient at creating a better experience than taking orders and waiting tables.
It’s really a win-win for both the patrons and the bar.
5. Primo Inc.: QR Code shopping and unmanned stores
Tokyo startup company Primo Inc. is at the forefront of QR Code adoption in Japan.
They have an application where customers can shop using QR Codes in Japan. Big brands such as Bang & Olufsen and even old traditional tea shops utilize this QR payment system.
But Primo didn’t just leave it at that. They also rolled out smart unmanned pop-up shops all over Tokyo.
In these shops, consumers can shop, scan QR Codes, pay online, and collect their goods. That simple, and that too without having to speak to anyone.
This cutting-edge strategy combines convenience with state-of-the-art retail technology.
6. LINE Pay: Smooth payments via a Messaging App
If you’re a user of the LINE messaging app, then you must have heard of LINE Pay. It is a QR Code payment scheme that offers the splitting of bills, online shopping, and in-store purchases.
All of this is offered via a single app interface. And, with a large number of users, LINE Pay is one of the most used cashless methods of payment in Japan.
Its accessibility via the LINE app simplifies its use for casual purposes making QR Codes more accessible than ever.
7. JR East’s QR Code train tickets
Train travel in Japan is already very efficient and advance, but QR Codes are making it even smoother.
Japan Rail (JR East) introduced QR Code-based ticketing that allows passengers to skip paper tickets.
All they need to do is scan your QR Code at the gate, and you’re good to go. This system reduces paper waste and makes commuting faster.
8. Tagawa City’s digital payment push
Even smaller municipalities in Japan are actively adopting QR Code technology. The city of Tagawa, a part of the Fukuoka Prefecture, introduced a promotional campaign to increase the use of QR Code payments.
They offered products at discounted prices for shoppers who used digital payment methods like QR Codes.
Apart from increasing trade at local markets, it helped people to grow accustomed to using new technology.
9. QR Code menus in restaurants in Japan
Almost 90% of restaurants throughout Japan have abandoned conventional menus and adopted QR Codes instead.
Consumers can scan a code at their table to see the menu, order, and even pay in some cases.
This not only saves on printing costs but also minimizes physical contact, a quality that proved particularly useful during the COVID-19 pandemic.
10. QR Codes in advertising: McDonald’s and Coca-Cola (Japan)
QR Codes have also entered Japanese advertising. McDonald’s Japan and Coca-Cola Japan are some of the big brands that employ QR Codes on billboards and packaging.
Customers can scan the codes to gain access to special discounts, promotions, or product details. It’s an intelligent way to interact with consumers and boost sales.
11. QR Code contact tracing during COVID-19
During the pandemic, QR Codes in Japan were used as an essential public health measure. People visiting public places were made to scan QR Codes to record their presence.
This enabled the authorities to monitor and alert those who could have been exposed to the virus.
It was a straightforward yet effective means of dealing with contact tracing on a massive scale.
12. DENSO WAVE’s Open-source QR Codes
If you think about it, all of the QR innovations that we see today began with DENSO WAVE. The Japanese firm developed QR Codes in 1994 to enhance automobile production.
But rather than holding the technology a secret, DENSO licensed the patent for public use. This open-source strategy skyrocketed the world’s use of QR Codes across all sectors.
QR Codes are now omnipresent and this is a courtesy of that choice.
13. Airports and immigration: Quicker check-ins with QR Codes
Japanese airports have also simplified travel using QR Code technology. Travelers can utilize QR Codes for boarding passes and even immigration clearance.
It makes the check-in process faster and minimizes the use of paper documents, thus making traveling more efficient.
14. QR Codes at museums and tourist attractions
Japanese museums and cultural locations are making visitor experiences richer with the use of QR Codes.
The Tokyo National Museum, for instance, offers QR Code guides. Visitors can scan these QR Codes to view multilingual descriptions, interactive info, and more resources.
This offers a more accessible and interactive method to view exhibits.
15. JPQR: A Unified QR Code Standard
To make payments easy, Japan launched JPQR, a standardized QR Code that is compatible across multiple payment platforms.
Rather than having to use different QR Codes for each service provider, businesses can now use one QR Code for all the platforms that participate in the system.
This minimizes confusion among customers and makes it easier for merchants to send or receive transactions.
D. The future of QR Codes in Japan
Japan’s adoption of QR Codes is only growing. With more businesses and public services integrating QR technology, the country continues to lead in cashless innovation and digital convenience.
As the world moves towards a more contactless society, Japan’s success with QR Codes serves as a model for other countries to follow.
Final Thoughts
QR Codes in Japan are more than just a trend. They are a way of life.
From shopping and transportation to dining and entertainment, QR Codes make everyday tasks easier, faster, and more efficient.
With a projected market value set to double in the next few years, we can expect even more creative uses of QR Codes in Japan.
QR Codes are awesome! TRY THEM NOW!!
