Tokyo, August 1 2005 – JCB, a leading international card brand based in Asia, is pleased to announce that the JCB brand card will be accepted at Travelex branches in Japan for the purchase of foreign currency. This is the first time in Japan that currency exchange services have been made available through credit card payment instead of cash.

“We are very happy to partner with Travelex, the world's largest foreign exchange specialist. Travelex acceptance is now an integral part of JCB’s total support of leisure and business travel as a T&E service provider for JCB cardmembers”, said Mr. Shinichi Horimoto, Manager at the Merchant Relations Department of JCB. “While the JCB card can be used to purchase goods and services abroad, a lot of travelers still need to obtain some cash in the foreign currency for tips and other small amounts before they leave Japan” he added.

“Accepting the JCB international brand card for payment is another important step in meeting the foreign currency needs of Japanese consumers”, said Mr. Ken Sakane, Senior Manager, Sales & Marketing at Travelex Japan.

Travelex Japan is taking an aggressive strategy for growth in the Japanese foreign exchange market. In July, Travelex expanded the available currencies to 28, and in 2006 it will be increasing the number of Travelex branches in Japan from 12 to 30.

JCB and Travelex are currently considering offering Travelex exchange services over the internet with convenient home delivery of foreign currency.

About Travelex
Travelex is the world's largest foreign exchange specialist with over 700 retail branches and 16,000 business customers. The Group was founded in 1976 by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Lloyd Dorfman, and now serves over 29 million customers a year. The audited net assets for Travelex Holdings Limited at 31 December 2004 was GBP85.2 million.
Retail Services
40% of the world's airline passengers now pass through airports at which the business operates including the major gateways at London, New York, Hong Kong, Frankfurt and Sydney. Travelex is the world's oldest issuer of Travellers' Cheques and now issues more Visa and MasterCard branded Travellers' Cheques than any other company. Other retail services and products range from prepaid cards and money transfer to call centre services and travel insurance (US only).
Corporate Services
Travelex is the world's largest non-bank provider of commercial foreign exchange, providing foreign exchange dealing, payments & collection services and risk solutions to over 16,000 international companies and financial institutions. The Group is the leading global provider of outsourced travel money to banks, travel agencies and other financial institutions. For more information please visit www.travelex.com.

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 12.4 million merchants and spans 190 countries and territories. JCB cards are now issued in 19 countries and territories, with 55.14 million cardmembers. As part of its international growth strategy, JCB has formed alliances with more than 350 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/.