#Japan #Shibuya, Tokyo #Ponta #Cashless Payment #Loyalty Marketing

Survey Highlights Cashless Payment Trends in Japan

A recent survey conducted by Loyalty Marketing Co., the operator of the common points service, Ponta, sheds light on the changing landscape of payment preferences in Japan. This survey, aimed at both consumers and businesses, reveals crucial insights into cashless payment adoption. Here’s what the data shows:

Consumer Payment Preferences

The survey engaged 20,891 respondents ranging from teenagers to those over 70 years old, conducted over the period from October 24 to October 27, 2025. The findings highlight that approximately 60% of everyday transactions are now made using cashless methods.

In contrast, cash payments still account for around 40% of daily expenditures. The survey also uncovered the rationale behind the choice of payment methods, revealing that a significant 50% of cash users prefer physical currency because it offers clearer visibility of their spending. Looking ahead, about 20% of respondents expressed a willingness to switch to cashless payments.

Business Adoption of Cashless Payments

On the business side, the survey included 2,061 respondents from various sectors including wholesale, retail, accommodation, and food services collected during the same October dates. An encouraging 60% of businesses reported having already implemented cashless payment systems. Notably, the adoption of barcode payment systems has seen significant growth compared to previous surveys conducted in 2021.

Among businesses that have adopted cashless solutions, roughly 50% indicated that they did so to improve customer convenience. However, there has been an increase in the number of businesses citing satisfaction with cash as their primary payment method—an indication that some remain hesitant to transition fully to cashless systems.

Looking forward, about 50% of businesses that already use cashless payment systems expressed an intention to continue, primarily motivated by a perceived increase in customer traffic and user engagement.

Survey Methodology Overview

This comprehensive study utilized an online survey format, collecting data across two key periods. The 2025 survey involved 20,891 valid responses, while a prior survey in 2023 gathered 91,198 responses, providing valuable longitudinal analysis of trends in payment preferences.

The methodology involved participation from the Ponta Research panel, comprising registered users who opted into the survey, ensuring a representative sample of the Japanese population.

Conclusion

Overall, the findings from Loyalty Marketing's survey portray a significant shift towards cashless payments in Japan, reflecting changing consumer behaviors and business strategies. As both consumers and companies navigate this transition, the continuing evolution of payment solutions remains a pivotal area to watch.

For further details regarding the survey results, please refer to the accompanying PDF document. All references to survey findings must include the credit “Based on research by Ponta Research.”