Press Releases

NEC Corporation (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Takayuki Morita; hereinafter "NEC"), SB Payment Service Corp. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CISO: Tomonori Hotta; hereinafter "SBPS"), and SB C&S Corp. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Kazuya Kusakawa; hereinafter "SB C&S") have partnered to launch a facial recognition payment service using "PayCAS" (hereinafter "this service") by linking NEC's facial recognition service "Bio-IDiom Services for SaaS" with "PayCAS," a multi-payment service provided by SB C&S with PSP handled by SBPS.

In recent years, with the spread of cashless payments, businesses have become more accommodating of diverse payment methods. However, the coexistence of multiple payment methods, such as cash, credit cards, and QR/barcode payments, has led to increased complexity in checkout operations and longer waiting times. Furthermore, with the declining workforce and resulting labor shortages, improving the efficiency of checkout operations has become an urgent issue. To address these challenges, there is growing expectation for biometric authentication technology that enables contactless and smooth payments.

This time, SBPS will act PSP, integrating "PayCAS," provided by SB C&S, with "Bio-IDiom Services for SaaS," which utilizes the core technology of NEC's biometric authentication "Bio-IDiom" ^*1 and boasts the world's No.1 authentication accuracy ^*2. Users can register their facial information and credit card information to be used for payment on a registration site in advance, allowing them to make payments using facial recognition without having to present their credit card or smartphone. This will not only streamline checkout operations in stores but also provide customers with a comfortable shopping experience.

This initiative is part of the strategic alliance in the biometric authentication field announced by SoftBank Corp. (hereinafter "SoftBank") and NEC in July 2024 ^*3, and will leverage SoftBank and its group companies' strong corporate customer base and sales network to expand into the payment field.

NEC, SBPS, and SB C&S will contribute to the realization of a safe, secure, and convenient cashless society through the integration of biometric authentication technology and payment services, while also working to create new customer experiences. NEC will continue to promote its business with the highest priority given to privacy and respect for human rights in the utilization of biometric authentication technology, including facial recognition.

Regarding the test implementation of facial recognition payment service at "Cafe Shiba," the employee cafeteria at SoftBank's Takeshiba headquarters

From September 1st to November 30th, 2026, we will be testing a facial recognition payment service at "Cafe Shiba," the employee cafeteria at SoftBank's Takeshiba headquarters. This demonstration is expected to involve over 1,000 facial recognition payments, verifying the entire user experience and operational feasibility from facial information registration to payment. Based on the insights gained, we aim to create use cases for actual operation and improve service quality. In addition, we will explore integration with various services, such as office access control and system login, starting with facial recognition payment, aiming to realize a new customer experience that allows access to a wide range of services.

• "Bio-IDiom" is the collective name for NEC's biometric authentication methods, including facial recognition, iris recognition, fingerprint recognition, palm print recognition, finger vein recognition, and voice recognition. Leveraging world-class technology and extensive experience, we will realize a world where "everyone can use digital technology with peace of mind" by using or combining different biometric authentication methods according to the needs.
  https://jpn.nec.com/biometrics/index.html
• NEC has repeatedly achieved the No. 1 ranking in facial recognition benchmark tests conducted by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). NIST's evaluation results do not constitute an endorsement of any specific system, product, service, or company by the U.S. government.
  https://jpn.nec.com/biometrics/evaluation/index.html
• Press release: "SoftBank and NEC agree to strategic partnership focused on biometric authentication to promote DX in companies and local governments."
  https://www.softbank.jp/corp/news/press/sbkk/2024/20240709_01/

Bio-IDiom Services for SaaS

"Bio-IDiom Services for SaaS" is a service that provides facial recognition, one of NEC's biometric authentication technologies "Bio-IDiom," in a SaaS format. NEC is deploying "Bio-IDiom Services for SaaS" as BluStellar Products & Services. Under its value creation model "BluStellar," NEC provides end-to-end services, including BluStellar Scenario and offerings, which guide from strategic concept consulting to implementation, based on three axes: business model, technology, and organization/human resources. By transforming business models with advanced cross-industry knowledge and refined cutting-edge technology, NEC leads to the resolution of social issues and the management challenges of its customers.
https://jpn.nec.com/biometrics/services/index.html

SBPS payment platform

By integrating NEC's "Bio-IDiom Services for SaaS" with SBPS's payment platform, facial recognition-based credit card payments will be enabled. SBPS will handle everything from contracting with payment institutions to settlement in a one-stop service, reducing the complex tasks involved in payment implementation, centralizing sales management, and improving business productivity.
https://www.sbpayment.jp/service/device/omo/lp/

PayCAS

PayCAS is a one-stop service that provides cashless payment implementation. It supports credit cards, e-money, and QR codes with a single compact terminal. It shortens the time required for service implementation, which previously involved complicated procedures, allowing for smooth adoption of cashless payments.
https://www.paycas.jp/

Company Profile

NEC Corporation

NEC is a global technology company with a history of over 125 years, specializing in technologies such as AI, cybersecurity, and communications. It operates IT services that drive AI transformation in society and industry, and social infrastructure businesses that contribute to security in Japan and around the world. With "BluStellar," a value creation model that brings together advanced knowledge and cutting-edge technologies across various industries, at its core, NEC aims to deliver innovation and peace of mind to the world and realize a society where everyone can fully express their humanity.
https://group.nec/global/ja/

SB Payment Service Corp.

SB Payment Service Corp., a group company of SoftBank Corp., operates PSP business, providing over 40 brands of payment methods and solutions to businesses operating online shops and in-store. Beyond PSP, it also acts as an acquirer, handling merchant screening and management, and offering a one-stop service including payment services and fraud detection services. Furthermore, it provides support for businesses in improving their cash flow and expanding overseas, broadly supporting their business growth.
https://www.sbpayment.jp/

SB C&S Corp.

SB C&S Corp. inherits the IT distribution business that is the origin of the SoftBank Group, while also quickly grasping changes in the market environment and creating new business models. For corporate clients, we provide products and solutions utilizing advanced technologies, including cloud and AI, through the largest sales network in Japan. For consumers, we leverage our unique planning and development capabilities to expand our product lineup from software and mobile accessories to AI products and services. For more details, please visit our website.
https://cas.softbank.jp/

• "QR Code" is a registered trademark of Denso Wave Incorporated.
• SoftBank and the SoftBank name and logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of SoftBank Group Corp. in Japan and other countries.
• Other company names and product / service names mentioned in this press release are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective companies.

Inquiries from the media regarding this matter

SB Payment Service Corp. Public Relations