Title: M-banking services in Japan: a strategic perspective

Authors: Eusebio Scornavacca Jr., Stuart J. Barnes

Addresses: School of Information Management, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand. ' School of Information Management, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand

Abstract: The proliferation of mobile internet enabled devices is creating an extraordinary opportunity for a new mode of e-commerce. In Japan, in April 2003, there were more than 62 million users of mobile internet services. Mobile devices, typically used by a single person, provide an unprecedented platform for individualised services. Such services may build on the value propositions of time, place and individual context. One emerging area of mobile business is banking. This paper explores the state of the art of mobile (m-) banking in Japan. A brief discussion about the main characteristics of Japanese banking practices is accompanied by an overview of this country|s mobile market. This is followed by a detailed analysis of the mobile internet services of three major Japanese banks – Mizuho, Sumitomo Mitsui and UFJ – and the development of a strategic framework for m-banking. The paper concludes with a discussion about the future of m-banking.

Keywords: mobile banking; services; Japan; strategies; benefits; m-commerce; usage patterns; e-commerce; mobile communications.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMC.2004.004487

International Journal of Mobile Communications, 2004 Vol.2 No.1, pp.51 - 66

Published online: 10 May 2004 *

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