Western Union (NYSE: WU) announced last week it is launching its cross-border payment services in Japan. The company notably partnered with remittance company City Express to launch the service to enable global used-car customers to buy from BE FORWARD, which is one of Japan’s used-car exporters.
“The unique collaboration falls within the company’s growing portfolio of cross-border payments where other companies are increasingly using Western Union’s global network to enable options for payments of goods and services for their customers.”
Speaking about the launch in Japan, Sohini Rajola, Head of Network, Middle East and Asia Pacific of Western Union, stated:
“By unlocking our network, Western Union is creating a money transfer and payments superhighway for innovative companies wishing to offer their customers the widest choice of options for cross-border payments. We continue to capitalize on our unique cross-border strengths to meet increasing demand from global consumers and businesses for fast and reliable cross-border money transfer and payments.”
Keiichi Akasaka, Director at City Express, also commented:
“We are delighted to champion a global and local relationship that paves the way for a generation of customers that either have a preference to pay in cash or have zero or limited international credit card capabilities. This new form of cooperation enables everyone to benefit and largely contribute to creating an inclusive globalized world, where citizens around the world can buy global and pay local.”
Hironori Yamakawa, President of BE FORWARD, then added:
“By connecting to Western Union’s robust retail network, we have the unique ability to link our offering to cash payments worldwide and serve many market segments. We have widened the category for potential customers by plugging into the Western Union and City Express platforms and enabling them to purchase a used car online and pay in person using local currency.”