Japanese streaming service unext drops mastercard and visa payment
(www.sankakucomplex.com)
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I would get a JCB card if they resumed business in the country, but JCB probably views it as too much regulatory hassle or insufficient revenue.
DLSite, which underwent a similar route (including exempting AmEx) in earlier months, has a partner site dl-pay.com to buy "points". Even though the only listed payment option is PayPal, it actually allows you to normally use a credit card without any noticeable markup (within ~4% of exchange rate). Process is dead simple: insert email, use emailed link, choose CC, enter data, and immediately get redemption code.
Large companies will find convenient ways to separate you from your hard earned money. U-NEXT audiences probably has access to JCB or other still accepted payment options, but if they don't, then U-NEXT will surely find an alternative for their valued customers.
In summation: fuck the mainstream international banking cartel, and all Western governments. Viva Japan.
I wonder what the history behind the pull-out was. Legislative or just too far behind Visa/MC to make it worthwhile.
Edit: Apparently AmEx and Discover still have reciprocal agreements with JCB. Anywhere that takes JCB should accept AmEx (https://www.americanexpress.com/jp/services/coverage/). Don't know how well that plays with online retailers.
I've been trying to piece together a timeline, but the closest piece of Federal legislation passed before closing all consumer CC accounts was the FOSTA-SESTA bill but it could be unrelated. As for the "halt issuing new cards", no clue still.