Tokyo, Dec 28, 2012 - (ACN Newswire) - JCB, the only global payment brand based in Japan, announced the release of its free JCB Japan Guide smartphone application (in simplified Chinese) for JCB Cardmembers in mainland China on December 21. The traditional Chinese version for JCB Cardmembers in Taiwan is planned for release in March 2013. The JCB Japan Guide provides JCB Cardmembers access to location-based deals and offers using GPS locator functionality as well as travel and sightseeing information.

The app includes these major functions:
-- Shop, restaurant and other merchant search
-- Guides to getting around, including sightseeing information, public transportation information and route maps for Tokyo and Osaka.
-- Convenient JCB services available to JCB Cardmembers visiting Japan
-- Facebook and Twitter plugins so users can share their experience in Japan (Taiwan version only).

Information is available on discounts and other special deals for JCB Cardmembers at around 500 shops, restaurants and other merchants in popular destinations for travelers from mainland China and Taiwan, including Hokkaido, Kyushu and Okinawa in addition to Tokyo and Osaka. App users are encouraged to update merchant information regularly to keep up with the latest deals available.

For Japanese-speaking Cardmembers, JCB offers JCB Guide smartphone apps for Hawaii, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New York, San Francisco, and Korea. The JCB Japan Guide has been available in English since April 2012, and the new simplified and traditional Chinese versions will serve 8 million JCB Cardmembers living in mainland China and Taiwan.

JCB is committed to bringing services in multiple languages to JCB Cardmembers all around the world.

About the JCB Japan Guide

The app includes these major functions:

-- Shop, restaurant and other merchant search
You can search for merchants that give special offers to JCB Cardmembers by map location, genre and merchant name. You can get a special offer by showing the merchant the special offer screen and paying with JCB. GPS locator function helps you find merchants near your present location. Offline search available for genre and merchant name.

-- Guides to getting around
Climate, time zone and other basic information for visitors to Japan along with sightseeing guides and route maps (Tokyo and Osaka) to hope you enjoy your trip to Japan even more.

-- JCB services
Services available to JCB Cardmembers visiting Japan including the JCB Plaza Call Center phone number and guide to JCB Plaza Tokyo.

-- Facebook and Twitter plugins so you can share special deals and your experience in Japan (Taiwan version only).

Availability
-- Free download from the App Store for iPhone (iOS 4.3 up).
-- Mainland China version available now
-- Taiwan version available March 2013

*App Store and iPhone are registered trademarks of Apple Inc.

About JCB

JCB is a major global payment brand and a leading credit card issuer and acquirer in Japan. JCB launched its card business in Japan in 1961 and began expanding worldwide in 1981. Its acceptance network includes over 23 million merchants and over a million cash advance locations in 190 countries and territories. JCB cards are now issued in 16 countries and territories, with more than 78 million Cardmembers. As part of its international growth strategy, JCB has formed alliances with more than 350 leading banks and financial institutions globally to increase merchant coverage and Cardmember base. As a comprehensive payment solution provider, JCB commits to providing responsive and high-quality service and products to all customers worldwide. For more information, visit: www.jcbcorporate.com/english .

Source: JCB

Contact:

JCB International Co., Ltd.
Ayako Tanaka, Masayasu Okada
Corporate Planning Department
+81-5778-8390
ayako.tanaka@jcb.co.jp, masayasu.okada@jcb.co.jp