Net Protections, Inc. (headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Shin Shibata; “Net Protections”), a consolidated subsidiary of Net Protections Holdings, Inc. (headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Shin Shibata; “the Company”), and JCB Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo; Chairman and CEO: Takayoshi Futae; “JCB”) are pleased to announce that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding a business alliance in Business-to-Business (B2B) payments.
Background and Purpose of the Business Alliance
In domestic B2B transactions, analog billing operations, payment-collection risks, and cash-flow optimization for buyer companies remain challenges that hinder improvements in corporate productivity. Net Protections has driven the Digital Transformation (DX) of the B2B payment market by developing proprietary credit-screening expertise and operational systems through its B2B payment service, "NP Kakebarai." Meanwhile, as Japan's only international card brand, JCB possesses a broad merchant network and advanced payment solutions, establishing a solid position in the B2B payment sector.
Through this business alliance, the companies aim to combine their strengths to support the cashless transition and digitization of B2B payments, aiming to build a new social infrastructure for B2B payments.
Main Details of the Business Alliance
The companies will proceed with the consideration and development of the following services:
1. Issuance of Corporate Cards for "NP Kakebarai" Members
We will proceed with the consideration and development of issuing corporate cards to buyer companies and members using "NP Kakebarai" by the end of September 2027. With this card, we aim to enable cashless payments for all types of transactions, including advertising costs and utility charges—not limited to "NP Kakebarai"—thereby reducing administrative burden on companies and accelerating business growth. *Details will be announced sequentially.
2. Addition of Credit Card Payment Function to "NP Kakebarai"
We will proceed with consideration and development regarding a function by the end of December 2027 that allows buyer companies to pay "NP Kakebarai" invoices by using credit cards. With this function, users of "NP Kakebarai" will be able to use credit card payments as a payment method for issued invoices, improving cash flow flexibility. *Details will be announced sequentially.
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3. Strengthening Collaboration in Corporate Portal-Related Businesses
Through the collaboration of solutions provided by JCB and "NP Kakebarai," we aim to combine the payment data and know-how possessed by both companies to provide higher value-added services.
Comments from the Representatives
Shin Shibata, CEO, Net Protections Holdings, Inc.
“I am very pleased to be able to deepen our partnership with JCB, Japan's leading international card brand. I am convinced that by fusing our knowledge in B2B payments with JCB's advanced payment solutions, we can simultaneously realize cash flow improvement and payment DX for companies, updating Japanese business practices to be smarter.”
Takayoshi Futae, Chairman and CEO, JCB Co., Ltd.
“I am very pleased to be able to deepen our partnership with Net Protections, which holds an overwhelming share in the B2B BNPL market. The overwhelming value and knowledge in B2B payments possessed by Net Protections will be a very strong partnership in improving the convenience of B2B payments that we aim for. Through the collaboration of both companies, we will challenge ourselves to create new value that solves the management issues of companies.”
Future Outlook
Through this business alliance, the Company, together with JCB, will proceed with initiatives toward new value creation in B2B payments in stages. By expanding our B2B payment infrastructure centered on "NP Kakebarai" and enhancing the payment experience across billing, payment, and fund management, we aim to improve convenience in corporate activities and further promote cashless payments.
■About Net Protections, Inc.
Company Name: Net Protections, Inc.
(Net Protections Holdings, Inc. [Code: 7383, Prime Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange] Group)
Representative: Shin Shibata, CEO
Website: https://corp.netprotections.com/
Business Description: Provision of Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) services
Founded: January 2000
Capital: JPY 100 million
Head Office: Sumitomo Fudosan Kojimachi First Building 5th Floor, 4-2-6 Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0083, Japan
■About JCB Co., Ltd.
Company Name: JCB Co., Ltd.
Representative: Takayoshi Futae, Chairman and CEO
Website: https://www.global.jcb/ja/
Business Description: Credit card operations, providing credit card operation services, financing, collections, gift card and certificate issuing and sales
Founded: January 25, 1961
Capital: JPY 10.6 billion
Head Office: Aoyama Rise Square, 5-1-22 Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8686, Japan
■Direct any inquiries regarding this release to:
Net Protections PR Email: pr@netprotections.co.jp
