Square has started its long-awaited foray into international markets with the launch of its distinctive card reader in Japan, in partnership with Sumitomo Mitsui Card Corporation.

Having established a strong presence in the US market, a launch in October last year was made by Square in Canada. Japan is the first launch of its card reader, and accompanying app, in Asia.

Square said it had found a strong partner in Japan, SMCC, which has been responsible for launching Visa in the country.

“I look forward to Square assisting in Japan’s continued economic growth and entrepreneurship opportunities,” said Jack Dorsey (pictured), the company’s CEO and co-founder.

It is not the company’s only international move this week, although the other was less direct as the company launched a trial of a P2P money transfer service. Although not stated, such services can be used for international remittances.

Some of the shine came off the Japan announcement with the news of two executive departures. AthingsD said that Alex Petrov, whose appointment as vice president of partnerships was announced several weeks ago, would not actually start at the company. No reason was given.

In addition, the company confirmed that Alyssa Cutright, the vice president of international, left in March, one year after joining. She supervised the Canadian launch in 2012 but has now departed  The company did not comment it did recently hire Francoise Brougher as its business lead, a position that encompasses international expansion.