Visa: Improved POS Displays Expand Inbound Spending

Visa Worldwide Japan Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Arturo Planell; hereinafter "Visa") conducted a pilot program to verify the effect of payment method displays (POS displays) on the spending behavior of inbound travelers visiting Japan. The program confirmed a clear effect of increased card usage by improving the visibility of card acceptance at stores, and revealed that POS displays are an important factor in payment behavior.

The program was conducted from March 1 to the end of April 2026, targeting Shibuya Ward, Shinjuku Ward, and Taito Ward as major inbound areas in Tokyo. The target areas were selected based on districts with high visitor numbers and concentrated spending by foreign tourists. Approximately 5,000 POS displays supporting multiple languages including English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, and Korean were introduced.

According to the "Survey of Inbound Consumption Trends 2026 January-March Quarter (First Preliminary Report)" *1 published by the Japan National Tourism Organization on April 15, 2026, inbound tourist spending during the same period was estimated at 2.3378 trillion yen (a 2.5% increase year-on-year). Accommodation costs accounted for 36.7%, shopping for 25.2%, and food and beverages for 22.9%. Combined with the consumption of 9.4559 trillion yen in the 2025 calendar year (a 16.4% increase year-on-year), inbound spending remains at a high level, primarily in service industries such as accommodation, retail, and dining, creating significant spending opportunities.

*1 https://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/content/001996087.pdf

This program conducted verification in line with actual spending behavior by focusing on industries frequently used by travelers, such as dining, retail, and services.

As a result, an increase of approximately 5-6% in the number of card users and transactions among inbound travelers was confirmed, along with expanded usage across a wide range of categories including major industries like dining, retail, and services. This also led to an increase in the volume of card payments handled by member stores, capturing sales opportunities. Furthermore, analysis of usage trends by payment method showed an increase of about 2% in contactless payment usage, promoting a shift towards convenient digital payment methods. Analysis by inbound traveler origin market also confirmed consistent usage expansion in major inbound markets, with particularly notable growth observed in markets such as Thailand and Taiwan.

These effects are thought to be due to the improved visibility of payment methods, which resolved uncertainty regarding acceptance.

The results indicate that improving POS displays is an effective measure that directly influences the payment behavior of inbound tourists. Visa plans to roll out this initiative nationwide, starting sequentially in the Kanto and Kansai regions from July 2026, and expanding to over 20 cities in 5 regions in the future. This will contribute to further expansion of inbound spending and the development of a smoother payment environment.

About Visa

Visa is a global leader in digital payments, connecting consumers, businesses, financial institutions, and government agencies in more than 200 countries and territories. Visa's mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable, and secure payment network, contributing to the prosperity of individuals, businesses, and the economy. We believe that an inclusive economy for everyone, everywhere improves lives and connects access to the future of payments. For more information, visit Visa.com (English site) or www.visa.co.jp (Japanese site).