Suica is a prepaid rechargeable contactless smart card and electronic money system used as a fare card on train lines and other public transport systems in Japan, launched on November 18, 2001, by JR East. The card can be used across the nation as part of Japan's Nationwide Mutual Usage Service. The card is also widely used as electronic money for purchases at stores and kiosks, especially at convenience stores and within train stations. In 2018, JR East reported that Suica was used for 6.6 million daily transactions. As of October 2023, 95.64 million Suica have been issued, and 1.63 million stores accept payment via Suica's digital currency.
Ticket gates at Ikebukuro Station in 2006. The center lane is exclusive to Suica. Gates have since been replaced to support all major IC cards.
An automatic Suica reader at Kuzuoka, a station not equipped with regular ticket gates
Keyless locker system for Suica and PASMO cards in Shibuya Station
Mobile Suica running on iPhone
A contactless smart card is a contactless credential whose dimensions are credit card size. Its embedded integrated circuits can store data and communicate with a terminal via NFC. Commonplace uses include transit tickets, bank cards and passports.
Size comparison of chip compared to a Canadian penny
Novosibirsk (Russia). Transport fare collection terminal CFT
Smart card being used to pay for public transportation in the Helsinki area
The plastic inlay (right) that contains IC and antenna inside paper contactless smart card used in public transportation in Singapore (left)
