Tokyo, Japan - Recent (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland)
1. Payment machines
2. Various of sign of QR codes payment
3. Various of Hideaki Tanaka, CTO of Tri-Force Consulting Service Pvt. Ltd, introducing their product
4. SOUNDBITE (Japanese, dubbed with English) Hideaki Tanaka, CTO, Tri-Force Consulting Service Pvt. Ltd:
"The system uses digital signatures which are incorporated into the QR codes. These can insure correct information and prevent any kind of identity fraud or information tampering."
5. User operating system
6. User operating smartphone
7. SOUNDBITE (Japanese, dubbed with English) Hideaki Tanaka, CTO, Tri-Force Consulting Service Pvt. Ltd:
"This QR code system provides very strong security platforms which in the future can be used for virtual currency transactions or currencies unique to a particular site. It has diverse possibilities"
8. Computer screen showing QR code
9. QR code on machine
10. Construction site
11. Various of buildings
12. Traffic

In recent years, easy-to-set-up, commission-free QR code payment methods is becoming a new trend in Japan. While the new services bring extra convenience, they're also an enticing opportunity for criminals. However, there have been moves to beef up security in the area that installed payment machines.

A IT company has developed an authentication system that prevents identity fraud and QR code scams, which they say might also have a wider application in the future.

"The system uses digital signatures which are incorporated into the QR codes. These can insure correct information and prevent any kind of identity fraud or information tampering," said Hideaki Tanaka, CTO of the Tri-Force Consulting Service Pvt. Ltd.

The newly-developed system provides two-way authentication, so users do not have to enter a username or password when shopping online or making payments. QR codes sent by the server can be authenticated with a smartphone app. Each code is unique, and it cannot be stolen or re-used, which means that it can be used for a number of applications, such as ticketing, payments and identification.

"This QR code system provides very strong security platforms which in the future can be used for virtual currency transactions or currencies unique to a particular site. It has diverse possibilities," said Tanaka.

However, I.T. experts warn that while security technologies are advancing rapidly and the need is imminent, implementing these security systems will take more time. Companies are still slow to recognize the importance of cyber security.

Japan, falling behind in the global cashless payments trend, is seeking to increase digital payment, especially QR codes payment.

In Japan, 80 percent of people still use cash, and cashless payment methods have been slow to take off. One of the reasons is that Japan already has many prepaid card systems and the majority of people like to keep cash at hand in case of emergencies, such as earthquakes. Also companies are reluctant to introduce new systems due to high commissions.

Meanwhile, Japan has taken steps to increase digital payments to 40 percent of all transactions by 2025, and boost productivity amid a labor shortage.