Japanese mobile operator KDDI is to launch the country’s first internationally-recognised NFC service before the end of this month. However, it will offer only one handset  to subscribers at launch, the Samsung Galaxy S II. KDDI has also announced other suppliers including French vendor Gemalto as its trusted service manager (TSM). And it has worked with MasterCard to access its PayPass contactless infrastructure. Domestic rivals NTT Docomo and Softbank plan to launch NFC-based services later this year. The three operators jointly announced their Japan Mobile NFC Consortium last month that seeks to align NFC with the“Osaifu-Keitai” (mobile wallet) service they currently offer. Osaifu-Keitai is based on a version of NFC technology called Type C (also known as Felica) whereas operators elsewhere in the world use Type A or Type B NFC technology.

KDDI has also announced a range of other suppliers who will co-operate with its NFC launch. These include Dai Nippon Printing (DNP) whose technology will enable cardholders’ data to be sent securely to their NFC handsets. The same vendor is also working on NFC-based services, SIM cards, terminals and tag reading. Toshiba is also working on NFC-based SIM cards. Another vendor Toppan Printing is supplying payments and loyalty applications and supporting implementation by service providers.

In addition, the operator announced a range of new services. Most services will not be available immediately but are due to launch from Spring 2012. Japan Airlines will offer NFC-based ticketing for flights although not until this summer.  Three credit card firms will develop NFC-based payments: Orient Corporation, Credit Saison and JACCS.  KDDI has also lined up loyalty card applications with a number of retailers.  And additional promotional NFC-based services such as downloading movie trailers are planned.