Net Protections, Inc. (headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Shin Shibata; “Net Protections”) is pleased to announce the establishment of a sales office in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture as its fifth office in Japan. The Ehime office will contribute to the revitalization of the region by stimulating economic activity through the provision of BNPL services in the Shikoku area and creating local employment opportunities through the hiring of staff.
Background and purpose of opening the Ehime Office
By establishing an office in Shikoku, where many companies with unique technological capabilities are located, Net Protections aims to promote the use of BNPL services in local industries and contribute to economic revitalization and regional development.
The Shikoku area is home to around 70 companies that hold top market shares in Japan and the world in specific fields due to their unique technological capabilities and R&D efforts. With the number of patent and utility model applications per 1,000 people and R&D expenditure per company higher than in other areas of Japan, Shikoku boasts an array of unquestionably powerful companies. (*1)
Many companies based in Ehime Prefecture, including representatives from the towel industry and soup stock manufacturers, have implemented Net Protections’ services, contributing to the digital transformation (DX) of these companies’ financial operations by improving financial performance and the efficiency of payment operations. Moreover, from 2022, Net Protections has launched comprehensive business partnerships including business matching with banks in the Ehime area (*2), aiming to help resolve issues such as the increasingly severe local labor shortage and customer needs for cashless services.
Through these activities, Net Protections established its fifth domestic sales office in Matsuyama City, Ehime, recognizing that the Shikoku area has high needs for BNPL services and is an area where the company can leverage its strengths.
In addition to providing BNPL services, Net Protections has also entered into a partnership from 2020 with FC Imabari, a member of the J-League football league, to develop the next generation (*3), and has launched human resources development and other initiatives to further revitalize the region beyond the provision of services.
*1: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism: “Strengths and Weaknesses of the Shikoku Region”
http://www.skr.mlit.go.jp/kikaku/kokudokeikaku/approach/topics/20221219/sankoushiryou1-3.pdf
*2: “Net Protections and Iyo Bank Conclude a Memorandum of Understanding on Comprehensive Business Alliance and Start Business Matching in the Field of BNPL Services,”
https://corp.netprotections.com/news/press/corporate/20220405/
“Net Protections and Ehime Bank Begin Business Matching for BNPL Services”
https://corp.netprotections.com/news/press/corporate/20230210/
*3: “Net Protections Concludes a Partnership Agreement with FC Imabari to Develop the Next Generation for the 2020 Season”
https://corp.netprotections.com/news/press/corporate/20200114/
Comments from Taku Hasegawa, Chugoku and Shikoku Area Manager
We are very pleased to open a new office in Ehime, a charming prefecture known for the abundant natural beauty of the Seto Inland Sea and the technological prowess of its industries. The BNPL services we will provide at the new office will support the DX of local companies’ financial operations, and we will work to enable safe and convenient shopping for local residents by promoting the introduction of cashless payment systems. We will promote the provision of innovative, community-based services to ensure that the opening of this new office will help revitalize the Shikoku area.
[Profile of the Head of Office]
Taku Hasegawa
Joined Net Protections in April 2019 as a new graduate. As a member of the sales group for NP Kakebarai, a BNPL service for BtoB, he has been responsible for business and strategic planning, organizational reforms, and training of new staff. He has worked with customers in a broad range of sectors, from major companies to startups and venture companies, helping them improve their invoicing operations and sales efficiency. Married in 2022, he decided to move to Ehime, his wife’s hometown, after getting a sense of Ehime’s appealing environment for business and its natural charms. He will be in charge of the launch of the Ehime office from May 2023.
Overview of the Ehime Office
Address: 4F 5-3-17 Chifunemachi, Matsuyama-shi, Ehime
Start of business operations: May 9, 2023
For inquiries: 080-4374-3552
About Net Protections, Inc.
Net Protections, Inc. is a pioneer of Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) services in Japan. In 2002, Net Protections launched its first service, NP Atobarai, a BNPL that guarantees risk-free transactions for businesses and provides a deferred payment for customers in Japan for the first time. NP Atobarai is used by numerous enterprises with over 15 million users (※A) and has surpassed 340 million transactions as of March, 2022. In 2011, Net Protections released NP Kakebarai, a BNPL service for BtoB. NP Kakebarai has grown 130% yearly and played a role as the dominant BtoB payment service in Japan. In 2017, Net Protections launched atone, BtoC BNPL service that can be used at not only e-commerce, but also digital content and physical retailers. In 2018, Net Protections released AFTEE, BtoC BNPL service in Taiwan. Net Protections has accumulated transaction data and knowledge since its first service launched, which has enabled it to build a sophisticated credit screening system and solid operation skills. Net Protections always pursues creating a society where everyone can do business safely and easily.
【商号】
株式会社ネットプロテクションズ
（株式会社ネットプロテクションズホールディングス(東証プライム、証券コード7383)グループ）
【代表者】
代表取締役社長 柴田 紳
【URL】
https://corp.netprotections.com/
【事業内容】
後払い決済サービス「NP後払い」の運営
企業間決済サービス「NP掛け払い」の運営
訪問サービス向け後払い決済サービス「NP後払いair」の運営
新しいカードレス決済「atone（アトネ）」の運営
台湾 スマホ後払い決済「AFTEE（アフティー）」の運営
ポイントプログラムの運営
【創業】
2000年１月
【資本金】
１億円
【所在地】
〒102-0083 東京都千代田区麹町4丁目2-6 住友不動産麹町ファーストビル5階
※4）2021年４月１日～2022年３月31日における「NP後払い」の利用者のうち、氏名・電話番号の双方が一致する利用者。
Direct any inquiries regarding this release to:
Net Protections PR
Email: pr@netprotections.co.jp
