JCB Payment Network

JCB (Japan Credit Bureau) is a major global payment brand and a leading credit card issuer and acquirer in Japan. Founded in 1961 as Japan Credit Bureau, it pioneered the credit card industry in Japan and launched its international expansion in 1981, positioning itself as a primary competitor to Western networks like Visa and Mastercard.

While the physical cards are manufactured by various certified security printing companies globally, the core financial infrastructure, technology, and governance originate from Japan. The brand is managed and operated by JCB Co., Ltd., which remains headquartered in Tokyo. It is unique as the only international payment network based in Asia that has achieved global scale.

The ownership of JCB Co., Ltd. is shared among several major Japanese financial institutions. Its primary shareholders include MUFG Bank, Taiyo Life Insurance, and Toyota Financial Services, among others. This consortium-style ownership ensures that JCB remains a central pillar of the Japanese financial ecosystem while serving millions of merchants and cardholders across more than 190 countries and regions.