#Japan #Tokyo #Hitachi #HARC #Japan Card Network

Hitachi and Japan Card Network's Strategic Partnership

Hitachi Ltd., a global leader in social innovation, is actively participating in the modernization project of Japan Card Network's credit card payment infrastructure. This initiative aims to transform and enhance the reliability of mission-critical business systems through cloud operations. Utilizing its managed service, the Hitachi Application Reliability Centers (HARC), Hitachi offers extensive operational transformation from the initial development stages, ensuring robust reliability that is vital for the payment sector.

Project Overview

The project, in cooperation with TISI Corporation, focuses on shaping practical system implementation guidelines. Hitachi’s role involves not only building the system architecture but also adopting a strategic approach that combines development with operational processes. This integrated method is crucial as Japan Card Network prepares to adapt its payment infrastructure to the hybrid cloud model in the face of growing transaction volumes and an expanding array of payment methods.

HARC has been recognized as a key service for facilitating the cloud-native modernizations in this payment infrastructure. Starting from the grand design phase, which encompasses planning and execution, experts in Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) and Platform Engineering from HARC have provided insights into operational reliability tailored for critical social infrastructure. They have defined service level objectives (SLOs) to assure high quality and reliability throughout the transformation process.

Future Directions

As the project progresses, Hitachi remains dedicated to employing cloud-native technologies and continuous improvements through AI innovations. Anticipated advancements include AI agent-assisted development and proactive alert management, designed to foster a responsive payment infrastructure. This is essential for Japan Card Network as it aims to efficiently navigate the evolving technological landscape. Moreover, the insights and knowledge gathered from operating mission-critical systems will contribute to the development of HMAX by Hitachi, a next-gen solution aimed at enhancing AI governance and data safety, thus promoting sustainable growth for its customers.

Challenges and Solutions

The increasing number of transactions, which has quadrupled to approximately 40.9 billion annually, places immense pressure on the existing infrastructure to maintain high reliability. Concurrently, the trend toward cashless transactions has made agility in the payment sector paramount. By prioritizing cloud-native technology, Japan Card Network seeks to address these requirements and position itself competitively for future growth.

Hitachi’s modernization approach focuses on integrating IT and organizational transformations, crucially merging operational practices with cloud technologies that promote reliability and agility. Through its service, Modernization powered by Lumada, Hitachi offers solutions to common modernization challenges faced by businesses with critical systems, paving the way for a more resilient, AI-enhanced operational paradigm.

Hitachi's Value Proposition

1. Stable Cloud Operations Support: From the design phase, Hitachi provides a framework that clarifies operational reliability amidst the increasing complexity of frequent changes in cloud settings. Employing SRE methods, Hitachi collaborates with clients to visualize and define system reliability and quality metrics, enhancing operational maturity.
2. Cloud-native Development Standards: The project envisions extensive development strategies while standardizing practices to maintain security and quality during anticipated expansions. The engineering team at Hitachi integrates established methodologies, such as CI/CD and Infrastructure as Code (IaC), into a standardized development and operational environment, ensuring both speed and control.
3. Continuous Evolution with AI: Future phases of the project will aim to leverage AI capabilities effectively, allowing for autonomous, reliable operations. The development framework established will facilitate a seamless collaboration between human expertise and AI agents, enhancing operational efficiency.

Statements from Key Stakeholders

Japan Card Network’s Perspective

Mr. Manabu Kikuchi, Head of Platform Development at Japan Card Network, emphasized the project’s significance in accommodating growing transaction volumes and service diversity. He stated, "Our challenge is to provide safe, reliable, and diverse payment services, adapting swiftly to changes while ensuring high reliability through strategic partnership and innovative technology."

Support from TISI Corporation

Mr. Kohei Kimizuka, Deputy Manager of Card Network Division at TISI Corporation, highlighted their role in system development and cloud infrastructure within this partnership. By combining insights from Japan's payment infrastructure system development with Hitachi’s cloud expertise, they aim to achieve a collaborative effort that enhances both reliability and flexibility.

Conclusion

This modernization effort will be showcased at the Hitachi Social Innovation Forum 2026 JAPAN, planned for September 3rd and 4th, 2026. Attendees can look forward to detailed discussions surrounding the project.

Hitachi continues to pave a path for the future of payment infrastructures, fostering innovation and enhancing the reliability necessary for a rapidly changing technological environment.