JCB is entering the 30th year since it first headed overseas with the great ambition to create a recognized international brand. We decided to go international as Japan’s only independent credit card brand, and paved the way for JCB Card acceptance worldwide on our own. Now our strategy for international expansion has evolved into building alliances with major financial institutions around the world. Backed by the strong support of business partners, JCB is recognized as one of the few international brands, with a solid global acceptance network and cardmember base .

In our homeland Japan, JCB is marking its 50th anniversary as a company in 2011. For half a century since 1961, JCB has led the Japanese payment industry with the support of customers and business partners, as a pioneer who first brought easy and convenient cashless payment to the consumer market.

Now the global credit card payment environment is undergoing drastic changes. The competitive landscape is changing dramatically with emerging card markets in newly developing economies, international expansion by key regional players, and substantial progress in information technology that facilitates cross-border and cross-industry alliances. Card payment is rapidly becoming borderless. As payment shifts from paper to plastic and consumer needs diversify, it is crucial for the industry to respond rapidly and appropriately.

JCB has the business diversity and flexibility to respond to the dynamically changing payments market, with its unique capacity as Japan’s only international brand and its broad base of issuing, acquiring, processing and operational service provider businesses. In 2008 JCB completed a full-scale upgrade of its core systems to lead the Japanese industry with higher capability and potential for business expansion. Accelerating our evolution into a comprehensive payment solutions provider, we are moving forward with the JCB Growth Plan 2010 that establishes a new structure for future growth. JCB works hard to contribute to the success of business partners worldwide by providing card business expertise and by leveraging the global JCB infrastructure, system and network to create unique brand value. We look forward to working with you and appreciate your continued support.