Checkout.com, a global digital payments provider, has announced its expansion into the Japanese market.

This strategic move includes the launch of direct acquiring capabilities and the establishment of a new Tokyo office, reinforcing Checkout.com’s presence in Asia.

The company has appointed Noriko Sasaki, a seasoned financial services professional with over 20 years of experience, including leadership roles at Citigroup, PwC, and Accenture, as Country Manager for Japan.

Sasaki will lead the company’s efforts to deliver localised payment solutions tailored to the needs of both domestic and international businesses operating in the country.

Checkout.com’s direct acquiring capabilities aim to improve payment acceptance rates for merchants by fostering strong relationships with local banks and issuers.

Through a single integration, businesses can offer customers a greater selection of local currencies and payment methods, simplifying processes and enabling a frictionless checkout experience.

The capabilities are also designed to reduce transaction costs associated with cross-border FX and interchange pricing, helping merchants optimise their payment performance.

The Tokyo office enhances Checkout.com’s local presence, enabling more personalised support for merchants and building on its broader investments in the APAC region.

This expansion follows Checkout.com’s continued investment across APAC, with recent launches in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

Checkout.com’s APAC team now exceeds 150 employees.

‍“I believe there is a tremendous market opportunity for ecommerce in Japan, and a simple and reliable payment experience for customers is essential.

I’m excited to lead the team and help merchants boost their sales while enabling a whole new digital experience for their customers.”

said Noriko Sasaki, Country Manager for Japan at Checkout.com.

‍“Our expansion in Japan marks a significant milestone for Checkout.com, and we’re thrilled to have Noriko Sasaki leading our efforts in this dynamic market.

Japan stands among the most sophisticated ecommerce markets in the world, and with Noriko’s leadership, we are uniquely positioned to deliver payment experiences that meet local preferences while driving growth for our merchants.”

said Brian Sze, APAC Regional Manager for Checkout.com.

Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik