[img_assist|nid=25695|title=|desc=|link=popup|align=left|width=150|height=78]Square has launched its free mobile payments reader and app in Japan, the companys first journey out of North America and a bold move in a mature mobile payments market.
The company has partnered with the Sumitomo Mitsui Card Corporation, which introduced Visa payments to the country, to assist with the move. The transaction fee is slightly higher than Square charges in the US and Canada, 3.25 per cent as opposed to 2.75 per cent, which has become something of an industry standard.
Square does not charge for the reader or the iOS and Android app and they have assured customers that the speed of deposit won’t be slowed across the Pacific. Its customers can also expect to showcase their business in its online directory of businesses that accept mobile payments in their area.
Homegrown NTT Docomo already works with Japans Softbank to offer a variety of mobile transaction opportunities on its handsets, including contactless mPayments on its wallet platform, available at vending machines, in taxis and at McDonalds. The company also offers loyalty card services and a free reader and app for users to accept payments. 
PayPal is also working in Japan too, and offers a free reader and a promise of no monthly accounts fees, but its transactional arrangement, starting at 3.6 per cent plus 40 Yen and increasing to 5 per cent for use of Here, is a little less clear and more expensive.
Owner of Square, Jack Dorsey, who also founded Twitter, has reached out the the people of Japan with a hand-signed letter, invoking the Japanese tradition of Wabi Sabi, which he said inspires his work.
Meanwhile, Square has also started to dish out invites to a service called Square Cash, which looks to be its first step into peer-to-peer payments, initially via email.
