The Japanese bank holding Mizuho Financial Group announced that March 1 plans to launch his own J-Coin Stelkin, as well as the corresponding payment mobile application J-Coin Pay.

Mizuho cooperates with about 60 financial institutions, covering most of Japan at the same time. Together, they combine about 56 million accounts that will become the base for digital wallets on the J-Coin Pay platform.

The Nikkei Asian Review news edition notes that this step Mizuho shows the readiness of the Japanese giant to compete with the country's popular solutions in the country, which are offered by the Line Messenger Operator and Retailer Rakewen.

In terms of functionality, the J-Coin Pay platform will not differ fundamentally from other similar applications - the buyer simply scans the QR code and makes a payment. However, the transactions between the bank account and the digital wallet will not require any commissions, unlike Line Pay.

In addition, the registration will not require the passage of personal verification - the application will be available for users under 18 years. According to Mizuho representatives, this will allow to meet the needs of different ages.

J-Coin Pay will support translation function, thanks to which it will be possible, for example, to send money to children to pocket costs or divide accounts between colleagues. It is noted that smaller percentages for the transaction will be installed for shops.

In addition, Mizuho plans to cooperate with foreign services, such as Alipay. The bank holding plans include coverage of at least 6.5 million users and 300,000 outlets for several years.

Nikkei Asian Review notes that even if Mizuho succeeds to achieve these indicators, the numbers will still significantly lag behind the line, which has 79 million customers, and with the help of the Line Pay application you can pay in 1.3 million stores.

Recall that for the first time about plans for the launch of J-Coin Pay, it became known in December 2018. Also early at the beginning of this year, another Japanese bank giant Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group confirmed its intentions to create its own digital currency, which was stated in May last year.