Japan to launch a CBDC feasibility study in 2021: report Business
Japan has become the latest major economy to begin exploring the feasibility of a central bank digital currency (CBDC). The Bank of Japan (BoJ) is reportedly conducting research on a digital yen as it aims to keep up pace with neighboring China. A local digital currency forum is also working on “some form of digital currency” for Japan’s private sector to complement the central bank’s efforts.
Japan has been closely monitoring China’s rapid progress in the CBDC efforts, according to the Japan Times. As CoinGeek reported, the People’s Bank of China has accelerated its efforts in recent months, with its latest pilot seeing 150,000 Suzhou residents participate.
Japan Doesn t Want to Be Late with a Digital Currency paymentsjournal.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from paymentsjournal.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
FOCUS: Japan prepares for digital currency, in line with China and others
Japan is gearing up preparation for the issuance of digital currency in both public and private sectors following swift moves by China and some other countries to do the same.
Virtual money issued by central banks around the world is called central bank digital currency or CBDC, and is used for cashless payments via smartphones or electronic cards just as cash, while some private organizations, including one established by Facebook Inc., also plan to introduce their own digital currencies.
Different from credit cards and cashless payment services, digital currencies are expected to provide retailers commission-free payment systems while end-users are able to not only settle payments at stores but also quickly send money to others via their smartphone apps.
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