City of Fujisawa (Kanagawa Prefecture) to be First in Japan
to Accept Tax Payments by Credit Card
- Helping to enhance the efficiency of tax collection work by local governments
and convenience to local residents -

Sumitomo Mitsui Card Co., Ltd.
The Japan Research Institute, Limited
NTTPC Communications, Inc.
Visa International

Sumitomo Mitsui Card Co., Ltd. (Head office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Michiyoshi Kuriyama), The Japan Research Institute, Limited (Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Shunichi Okuyama), NTTPC Communications, Inc. (Head office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Mamoru Ishida), and Visa International (Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; General Manager for Japan: Jim Allhusen) are jointly launching what will be Japan's first system for the payment of tax by credit card, in the city of Fujisawa in Kanagawa Prefecture, designed to enhance the efficiency of tax collection work by local governments and the convenience of tax payment systems to local residents. Credit card payment of light motor vehicle tax will be introduced in fiscal 2006, initially on a trial basis, and the scheme will progressively be extended to other local governments once its efficacy has been verified.

Until now, local government taxes have been paid in cash at financial institutions, convenience stores, etc. and the option to pay by credit card has not been available, but, in recent years the scope for the use of credit cards has grown to cover the payment of many everyday expenses, including mobile telephone bills, expressway tolls, electricity, gas and other public utility bills, and national hospital consultation fees, and demand for the option to pay taxes by credit card is growing among local residents. In a consumer survey conducted by Visa International, approximately 60% of respondents said they felt the option to pay taxes by credit card would offer benefits.

For more information on the content of this report, please contact: Shigeru Takamura the Japan Research Institute, Limited.

Tel: 03-3288-4187
E-mail：takamura.shigeru@jri.co.jp