Is Cashless Payment Making Progress in Japan?
*Tap words (smartphone/tablet) or hover over them (PC) to see info.
日本でキャッシュレス決済は進んでいるのか
日本のキャッシュレス決済比率は、2023年時点で約32%です。これは、韓国の96%、中国の86%、アメリカの83%と比べて、かなり低い水準です。
若い世代を中心に、財布に現金を入れない人も増えてきましたが、現金が必要な場面も少なくありません。現金文化が根強く残っています。
しかし、近年の状況は大きく変化しています。スマートフォン決済サービスの普及や、コロナ禍により、キャッシュレス化が加速しています。特に、PayPayや楽天ペイなどのQRコード決済は、手数料の安さから小規模店舗でも導入が進んでいます。
一方で、課題もあります。高齢者にとって、新しい技術への対応が難しい場合があります。これは、65歳以上の人口が30%近くを占める日本において、大きな課題です。また、システムの障害が起きた時の対応や、個人情報の漏洩リスクも指摘されています。
地方の小さな商店では、導入コストの負担が大きいという声も聞かれます。
このような状況の中、政府は2025年までにキャッシュレス決済の比率を40%まで引き上げる目標を掲げています。しかし、現金派の人々への配慮も必要です。両者が共存できる環境づくりが求められています。
Is Cashless Payment Making Progress in Japan?
As of 2023, Japan's cashless payment ratio is approximately 32%. This is significantly lower compared to South Korea at 96%, China at 86%, and the United States at 83%. While there is an increasing number of people, especially among younger generations, who don't carry cash in their wallets, there are still many situations where cash is necessary. The cash culture remains deeply rooted.
However, the situation has been changing dramatically in recent years. The spread of smartphone payment services and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic have accelerated the shift toward cashless payments. In particular, QR code payment services like PayPay and Rakuten Pay are being adopted even by small businesses due to their low transaction fees.
On the other hand, there are challenges. Elderly people may find it difficult to adapt to new technologies. This is a significant issue in Japan, where people aged 65 and over make up nearly 30% of the population. There are also concerns about system failures and the risk of personal information leaks. Small shops in rural areas have voiced concerns about the burden of implementation costs.
In this context, the government has set a goal to increase the cashless payment ratio to 40% by 2025. However, consideration must also be given to those who prefer cash. There is a need to create an environment where both payment methods can coexist.
*Translated by AI
*Content and word info are for learning purposes and may not be 100% accurate.