KDDI, Japan’s second-biggest mobile operator behind NTT Docomo, has entered into partnership with MasterCard to offer its subscribers a pre-paid payment card.

Dubbed “au WALLET”, cardholders will be able to check balances on their mobile phones.

There’s also a points scheme through which cardholders receive points for every purchase made. Points can be redeemed when paying their phone bills or making other shopping payments.

“Through our partnership with MasterCard, our customers will be connected to a global acceptance network that enables them to shop at millions of merchants around the world,” said Takashi Tanaka, President of KDDI.