First EMV-compliant ATMs certified in Japan

Aeon Bank Ltd., a subsidiary of Aeon Financial Service Co. Ltd., has become the first financial institution in Japan to deploy ATMs that support EMV chip card transactions, according to a press release from MasterCard.

Rising numbers of travelers visiting Japan have created increasing demand for enhanced security measures to prevent fraudulent transactions, including at ATMs, the card network said.

"As transactions become increasingly globalized, it is imperative that this global security standard be deployed quickly," said MasterCard Division President for Japan Robert R. Luton at a launch ceremony. "We expect this certification to provide extra momentum for the rapid deployment of EMV chip cards in Japan."

Aeon Financial Service Executive Vice President Masao Mizuno said the FI was pleased to be able to offer more robust security to users of its ATMs with the upgrade to EMV compliance.

"We believe foreign visitors will appreciate the convenience, easy access and, now, the extra security of our ATMs in places such as airports, train stations and especially our Aeon shopping malls."