Tokyo, Japan (January 9, 2004) - JCB Co., Ltd., the international payment brand, has announced the launch of a new, enhanced global support service for lost and stolen cards. From January 10, 2004, the 'JCB Emergency Assist 24' service will be available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with a single phone call from any location in the world. The service will offer cash advances, translation support when reporting to local police, help in contacting family and friends, as well as assistance in applying for passport reissue.

'JCB Emergency Assist 24' will be a major addition to the customer support system, offering faster and more comprehensive services after hours, and expanded assistance to remote locations. The new service can be used to arrange for a cash advance, with no card required, of up to USD 700 that can be picked up at more than 150,000 locations in 187 countries and territories. Other services include translation, for example to help in communicating with local police, message forwarding to family and friends, and help in applying for passport reissuance.

"We feel the new 'JCB Emergency Assist 24' system is an indispensable addition to our customer service lineup. The peace of mind JCB support gives cardmembers is one of the primary reasons our customers chose the JCB brand. Now they can get extra help when they lose a card at any hour of the day and anywhere in the world with a single call to JCB."
commented Shizuo Mizuguchi, Senior Executive Vice President, JCB International Co., Ltd.
"We have been aware for some time of the need to offer fuller support to those of our customers who could use our help after the JCB Plaza is closed, or who are too far away to come a JCB Plaza when they get in trouble,"

This new service will be part of JCB's commitment to customer support and traveler ease of mind unparalleled to that of any other international brand. JCB offers support to international travelers - including Japanese language capability - through staffed customer service locations at 31 JCB Plazas and 17 JCB Desks at major destinations around the world, and at three JCB Airport Desks at international airports within Japan. 24 hour a day telephone service providing medical referrals in case of illness or injury is also available.

'JCB Emergency Assist 24' will be available only for JCB cards issued by JCB or JCB franchisee companies within Japan, although JCB is reviewing the possibility of extending the system to cards issued in other countries. Service will be provided by Travelex Global and Financial Services, Ltd., based in Peterborough, UK, which offers high-quality traveler assistance in 25 languages. The Travelex customer service call center was winner of the European Call Center of the Year in 1999 and 2000.

About JCB Co., Ltd.
JCB is an international credit card brand and the largest card issuer/acquirer in Japan. JCB launched its card business in Japan in 1961 and began expanding overseas in 1981. Its merchant network includes 10.93 million merchants and spans 189 countries and territories. JCB cards are now issued in 18 countries and territories, with 48.4 million cardmembers. As part of its international growth strategy, JCB has formed alliances with more than 320 leading banks and financial institutions globally to increase merchant coverage and cardmember base. JCB's corporate philosophy of "Service from the heart", a commitment to responsive, high-quality service, continues to guide it as it creates the future together with its customers, merchants and partners. For further information, please visit the JCB International homepage at http://www.jcbinternational.com.