Waon

is a Japanese electronic money system introduced by ÆON in April 2007. It is a rechargeable contactless smart card. Like many other smart card systems in Japan, it uses RFID technology developed by Sony known as FeliCa. Its name comes from , meaning chord. The card's official mascot is a white dog. The card reader makes a "waon" sound upon successful transaction, a Japanese onomatopoeia for dog barks.

Unlike the nanaco card issued by Seven & I Holdings, the basic Waon card can be purchased without any registrations. Like other FeliCa-based systems, Waon has a mobile payment system, known as Mobile Waon.

Types of cards

• Waon Card: A basic prepaid card that does not require registration.
• Waon Card Plus: A card for ÆON Card holders. Accepts postpay as well.
• ÆON Card (Waon Card integrated): A credit card.

Waon Card is issued by ÆON, while other two cards are issued by AEON Credit Service.

Usable stores

As of September 2007:

• 130 stores in Kantō region, Yamanashi, and Niigata
• AEON Shopping Center
• AEON Tower Pharmacy
• Carrefour
• Diamond City
• JUSCO
• Karadalab
• Kids Kyōwakoku
• Marinpia
• Ministop
• My Basket
• ( and )

Within 2008:

• 23,000 stores of AEON Group in all Japan

In Kantō region, AEON Group stores accept Suica, , and PASMO as well. For other regions, they plan to accept other cards such as ICOCA or TOICA.

All JAL Mileage Bank cards issued in Japan built-in with Waon. However, JAL Mileage Bank cards issued overseas does not feature this function.

See also

• List of smart cards
• Electronic money
• Edy
• nanaco

References

External links

• Official website