Tokyo, March 30 2005 - JCB, the only Asian-based international payment brand, is pleased to announce the April launch of a JCB branded credit card in China. The new Chinese JCB card, to be issued through the Bank of China (BOC), marks the first JCB international credit card to be issued in China in partnership with a Chinese bank. BOC and JCB International signed a license agreement June, 2004. The Chinese government has granted permission to BOC to issue credit cards, thus paving the way for the launch of the new card in April.

JCB has partnered with prestigious financial institutions in China for merchant services including BOC since 1982, to meet increasing demand from JCB cardmembers who travel to and within China. Dramatic growth in the Chinese economy and the openings of the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and the Shanghai World Expo in 2010 indicate that the Chinese market is one of the largest potential credit card markets in the world. In anticipation of this growth, JCB has been focusing on expanding relationships with licensee issuers in China in order to establish a business base for the JCB brand.

The new BOC JCB Card, denominated dual-currency settlement in renminbi (RMB) and Japanese yen, is issued in both Standard and Gold, and is targeted at Chinese business travelers, tourists, students and others who reside and travel frequently in China or abroad on business or pleasure. The card carries worldwide acceptance through JCB’s 12.2 million merchant network located in 190 countries and territories. Cardmember services provided by the JCB brand include access to JCB Plaza customer service centers in 31 popular destinations around the world as well as a wide variety of other value-added benefits.

The newly issued BOC JCB card design itself is innovative and features motifs of the two country’s traditional performing arts, China’s Beijing opera and Japan’s kabuki.

The BOC JCB Card design features motifs from China’s Beijing opera and Japan’s kabuki theater.

JCB’s 40-year experience as a proprietary card issuer in Japan coupled with BOC’s technical knowledge and well-established local operations will contribute to the creation of high-quality and beneficial services for JCB cardmembers in China. JCB and BOC are targeting 100,000 cardmembers in the first year alone through active promotion of the new BOC JCB Card.

JCB is currently working with other leading Japanese partners in China to develop new services for JCB cardmembers in China. Examples include offering discounted package prices for tours in Japan from JTB Corporation and special deals on mobile phone rental in Japan from NTT DoCoMo, Inc. Exclusive services such as these provided in cooperation with partners are a significant element in the JCB brand value proposition.

About JCB Co., Ltd.
JCB is an international credit card brand and the largest card issuer and acquirer in Japan. JCB launched its card business in Japan in 1961 and began expanding overseas in 1981. Its merchant network includes 12.2 million merchants and spans 190 countries and territories. JCB cards are now issued in 18 countries and territories, with 53.59 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 and 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 Co. Ltd. home page at : www.jcb-global.com/english or www.jcbcorporate.com/english.