Business Expanding Korean Digital Payment Solution Provider
KONA I Co.,Ltd. Establishes Japanese Subsidiary

KONA I Co.,Ltd. is a leading provider of innovative digital payment solutions headquartered in Korea. Since its establishment in 1998, the company has pioneered the digitization of Korea's transportation card system and launched Asia's first global standard prepaid payment platform. The company develops, manufactures, and provides IC cards, IC modules, metal cards, electronic cards, prepaid card systems, etc. which will become increasingly important in the future.

Under its mission “Benefit the World Through Technology,” the company has expanded its business to the United States, China, India, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Brazil, and other parts of the world in addition to its headquarters in Korea. In July 2023, the company established KONA Japan LLC in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, to support existing customers in Japan and to develop new partners and customers.

In the Japanese market, in addition to existing sales of hardware products such as IC cards and IC modules, KONA also offers advanced digital payment solutions developed through collaboration and cooperation with domestic and overseas partners, including major Japanese printing companies.

For example, the company recently collaborated with IDEX Biometrics, a Norway-based company, to advance plans to introduce metal smart cards with built-in fingerprint sensors and other biometric authentication technology to the Japanese market. With the growing demand for contactless payments, the technology is expected to enhance security, prevent fraudulent use of credit cards, and increase customer loyalty and trust.

In addition, Japanese card companies and e-money businesses are highly interested in the market trends in South Korea, an advanced cashless country, and KONA has held many meetings with local businesses and accepted market tours.

Upon the establishment of the Japanese base, JETRO's Investment and Business Support Center in Japan (IBSC) introduced banks for opening corporate accounts and provided consultation on corporate establishment, including registration and visas.