Japan Payment Innovation Meetup 2025
Welcome to the Japan Payment InnovationMeetup 2025!
Come meet with payments experts and explore partnership opportunities!
Japan's credit card market is vast ($800bn/ year), and cashless ratio has been growing rapidly hitting 43% last year. This event gathers Japan's payment giants, collectively dominating the market, to host Silicon Valley startups and companies for collaborative networking.
Connect directly with key industry players and gain valuable market insights to accelerate your entry to and growth in Japan!
Event Details:
Date: October 3, 2025
Time: 12-4pm PDT
Location: 717 Market St, San Francisco
Keynote Presenter: Brent Wu
Brent Wu is a Partner at Geodesic Capital where he manages investor relations, fundraising, and strategic value-add for Geodesic's Limited Partners. Previously Brent was the Director of Business Development at Kespry, a leading commercial drone and data intelligence provider for industrial use cases. There he led channel sales and OEM partnerships to serve the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Mining verticals. Prior to Kespry, Brent built and led the Business Development and Account Management teams at Blackhawk Network’s Gift Card Exchange Business. Before private industry, Brent was a Senior Associate at Deloitte Financial Advisory Services, specializing in valuations of business entities, intellectual property, intangible assets, common and preferred stock, partnership interests, private debt instruments, options, and warrants.
Brent earned a Masters in Business Administration from MIT’s Sloan School of Management and a Bachelor’s Degree from Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. He is also a CFA Charterholder.
Event Hosts: JCB , MUFG NICOS, Orico, SMCC
JCB was founded in Japan in 1961 and is a global credit card brand used in over 160 countries.JCB operates its own issuing, acquiring, and branding in-house. With 169 million cardholders and 56 million merchants, JCB delivers high-quality, responsive payment solutions worldwide as part of its growth strategy. We are eager to have innovative solutions which help retailers or enterprises to utilize our asset, global merchant network.
MUFG NICOS - The core company of the payment business of MUFG, Japan's largest financial group - notably deliver industry-leading fraud prevention through aggressive Al adoption among Japan payment company. Building on that, we're exploring enterprise solutions to modernize and improve operational efficiency across functions, welcoming exploratory conversations with startups.
Orico - Founded in 1954, Orico is a leader in Japan's financial services serving both consumers and businesses. We manage 1.78 million auto loans, the largest volume in Japan, alongside credit cards, corporate payment solutions, and loan guarantees for banks. In our credit card business, we pioneered Japan's first stablecoin-linked card. Leveraging our strengths in credit assessment, collections, and operations, we are creating bold new business models for the future.
SMCC, founded in 1967, was the first company to issue Visa cards in Japan and Asia, showcasing its innovative leadership in the payments industry. It has forged strategic partnerships with global pioneers like Square and Stripe, delivering cutting-edge payment services. Recently, SMCC launched "Olive," a comprehensive financial service platform featuring "Flexible Credentials" We are also expanding non-financial businesses through strategic partnerships, the most recent one includes a partnership with Hopper (HTS).
Event Sponsor : Japan Society of Northern California
Founded in 1905, the Japan Society of Northern California works to advance U.S. – Japan collaboration and understanding in a global context. The Society offers an array of programs and networking opportunities for people and organizations in the Bay Area with a strong interest in Japan. It is the place to go for U.S. – Japan insights, opportunities, collaboration, and networking.
The Society offers unique programs that draw on the diversity of our region, its importance as an exemplar of innovation and economic growth, and our historic ties to Japan, across fields including business, technology, and the arts.
Venue Sponsor
Digital Garage (DG) is one of the largest Payment Service Providers leading fintech industry in Japan. DG partners with global payment companies for Japanese local payment and leads QR code payment. DG's Global HQs is based in San Francisco, operates dg717 coworking space to collaborate with AI, Crypto and Fintech community both enterprise and startups
What to Expect:
Targeted Networking - Engage with experienced corporate executives, representatives, investors, and high-growth peer founders.
Investor & Founder Insights - Gain firsthand knowledge from industry leaders.
Private, High-Caliber Environment - Designed for meaningful discussions and long-term connections.
Why Attend:
Curated Networking - Engage with a carefully selected group of corporate executives, founders, and investors.
Investment and Growth Opportunities - Gain direct access to key decision-makers for partnerships and market expansion to Japan.
Confidential and Exclusive Setting - An intimate, off-the-record environment designed for open discussions.
Exceptional Networking Experience -
Sushi paired with Japanese sake and whiskey will be served, curated for an unforgettable night.
Don't miss this opportunity to network with likeminded professionals, learn from top speakers, and stay ahead of the curve in the world of payment technology. Sushi and Japanese sake will be served during the networking! See you there!