green power
it's often said that japan is the home of technology - and in the most part this is true these days - japan is a wonderful place to live for finding out about and being a part of new trends and gadgets. I find it interesting now to read UK reports of what life is like here (as opposed to when I used to read them from scotland in awe). I'm often still in awe about amazing breakthroughs and whilst I now have access to some of the ideas I also have a proper view of what is really going on as a culture.
I read an article last week from the beeb about smart mobile technology as a method of payment. there's no doubt that the technology is available and is being used but to say that the average japanese will be saying "sayonara to their wallet" is pretty difficult to believe given the countrys dependency on cash. talking to the trouble and strife tonight we concluded that scotland was a far more convenient place in terms of money and payment (even if you can pay your bills at convenience stores - you still need to get cash from somewhere and conbini atms charge). the article also states that you can charge your mobile at stations where you feed in cash. I mean does that not strike you as being a bit middle ages in the fact we're still using paper money in this equation? the debit system doesn't even happen widely in japan yet. atms have charges unless they are used in your own bank and during office hours (though atms here are almost always indoors) and other banks will charge you too, at any time. iceland this is not.
I for one hope the technology takes off but I fear the strangle hold of the japanese bank could halt the idea in its tracks. here's to being proven wrong!
Posted by stupot at November 4, 2005 11:48 PM
I just don't understand the total dependence on paper money in Japan, not to mention the irritatingly short bank opening hours and the ATMs that charge you to get at your own money.
I asked a Japanese woman I know why most Japanese people tend to rely on money rather than cards, and she replied that cards were "dangerous" because of the possibility of fraud. Immediately I thought "What, more safer than walking around with thousands and thousands of yen rammed into your wallet?"
But then again, this is Japan. How many people do you know who've been mugged? Anyway, I guess the will to change from paper money just isn't there, so it hasn't happened.
Blimey, that was a long comment.
Posted by: Lewis at November 7, 2005 12:43 AM