Checkout.com, a prominent global digital payments company, has announced its expansion into Japan, which will be supported by new direct acquiring capabilities. This strategic move indicates Checkout.com's commitment to providing localized, high-performance payment solutions customized to accommodate the changing requirements of domestic and global merchants in the APAC region. Noriko Sasaki has been appointed as the country manager for Japan to lead this expansion. She brings more than two decades of experience in financial services and consulting at Citigroup, PwC, and Accenture.
Noriko Sasaki emphasized the significant market opportunity in Japan's e-commerce sector, highlighting “There is a tremendous market opportunity for ecommerce in Japan, and a simple and reliable payment experience for customers is essential.” With its new direct acquiring capabilities, Checkout.com aims to improve acceptance rates for merchants, supported by strong relationships with local banks and issuers. The establishment of a Tokyo office further enhances Checkout.com's local presence, enabling more personalized support for merchants. This expansion builds on Checkout.com’s continued investment in the APAC region, including previous launches in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and Singapore. APAC Regional Manager Brian Sze expressed confidence in Noriko's leadership, underscoring Japan's sophistication as an e-commerce market and the company's commitment to delivering exceptional payment experiences.