Tokyo Friendfinder
Earlier this month, when we looked at the future of mobile technologies from an academic’s perspective, one of the predictions that stood out was that phone companies looking to encourage mobile micropayments using their handsets would be well advised to team up with a solid financial institution first.
Today, we hear from Japan that the second largest operator there, KDDI, has received a license to create its own online bank together with the established Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ.
If it succeeds, Jibun Bank, which means ‘Self’ or ‘Me’ bank, will play a large part in encouraging KDDI phone customers to start using the e-cash facilities in their handsets.
Company CEO Tadashi Onodera said, “Our objective is to make KDDI phones the most convenient cellphones on the market and the safest way to transfer money.”
Although KDDI isn’t the first electronics vendor to start a bank, its clear intention to fold financial services into its phones is novel. Market leader NTT DoCoMo has financial arms, but has yet to offer a full-fledged banking service.
(Crossposted to TechRadar)
06:27 PM 
J Mark Lytle •
Permalink
Household | Japan | Wireless 
Tagged with:
banking
e-cash
kddi
mufg
What do you think? | Get more gadget goodness from DWT
Support DWT and share the love:
Slashdot It! Or use the bookmarks below :-)
Or try our acclaimed members-only dating site:
Or get your hump on with all new USB Humping Dogs — on sale now!
Next entry: Amazing survey says some Japanese might buy an iPhone
Previous entry: The future in our pockets at Japan’s Mobile Consumer Lab