#Japan #Tokyo #American Express #Corporate Credit Card #Knowledge Society

Survey Overview

In March 2025, Knowledge Society, a virtual office and shared workspace company located in Chiyoda, Tokyo, conducted a survey to gather insights on corporate credit card ownership and user preferences. This analysis involved a sample of 105 individuals aged between 20 and 60 who utilize corporate credit cards for business transactions. The survey aimed to explore the average number of cards held and the features desired in new cards.

Research Methodology

The survey was executed through an online questionnaire over three weeks, from March 7 to March 28, 2025. Out of the 105 responses collected, 100 were valid, yielding a response rate of 95.2%. The results point to key trends in the corporate credit card landscape.

Key Findings

1. Average Number of Corporate Credit Cards

According to the survey, respondents reported an average retention of 1.5 corporate credit cards, compared to the average of 3.0 individual credit cards held by users. This indicates a lower propensity for corporate credit card ownership relative to personal cards. Notably, the survey’s metrics only consider distinct card types, excluding multiple instances of the same type or supplementary cards.

2. Top Corporate Credit Card Choices

The survey highlighted that the most frequently utilized corporate credit card as a primary choice was the Mitsui Sumitomo Business Owners card. The second and third positions went to the Mitsui Sumitomo Business Owners Gold card and the Saison Platinum Business American Express card respectively. The Rakuten Business Card was excluded from this top list since it is typically issued in conjunction with a personal card.

3. Usage Patterns

An analysis of card preferences revealed that more than half of the participants reported using either the Mitsui Sumitomo or American Express corporate cards as their primary credit cards. This indicates the popularity and acceptance of these brands among a diverse range of business owners and sole proprietors due to their extensive range of products beyond standard offerings.

4. Reasons for Limited Card Ownership

When queried about the reasons for not holding multiple corporate credit cards, 27.4% cited the increased management complexity as their primary concern, followed closely by 26.5% who noted annual fees as a deterrent. Additionally, 23.9% felt that their existing credit limits were sufficient for their business needs.

5. Justifying Multiple Cards

Conversely, those owning several corporate cards indicated that the main rationale for doing so was the need for backup cards. A significant 35.9% of respondents shared that having an alternative card was essential as a contingency for expected service disruptions with their primary cards.

6. Desired Features in Additional Cards

The survey also found that 36.6% of participants expressed a desire for the perks associated with higher-tier cards when applying for additional corporate credit cards. Despite concerns over annual fees, these individuals value the enhanced status and benefits that come with premium card options.

7. Trend Towards Premium Status Cards

Interestingly, a growing majority of participants (65.5%) expressed interest in obtaining higher-status corporate credit cards. This reflects a 13.3% increase in interest from a similar survey conducted in 2023, indicating a rising trend towards premium offerings among corporate clients.

Conclusion and Implications

The findings from this survey emphasize the evolving needs and preferences of corporate credit card users. With the focus steadily shifting towards higher-status offerings and the necessity for efficient management of financial resources and perks, credit card issuers must adapt their services to meet these emerging demands.

For additional information and to access the complete data, please visit Corporate Card Research Department. Knowledge Society is committed to simplifying business finances and enhancing efficiency for entrepreneurs and business owners.

About Knowledge Society

Founded in April 2010 and headquartered in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Knowledge Society provides virtual office, shared office, and rental office services. Their offerings aim to support business owners and startups in lowering costs while facilitating efficient management of corporate credit cards and financial transactions. For more details visit their official site: Knowledge Society.