Japan has decided to promote the export of its electronic train fare cards to Vietnam to boost infrastructure exports under a government growth strategy, sources said.
The government plans to launch surveys in Vietnam in January to help companies get a foothold in the Southeast Asian nation, which has plans to build 14 railway lines in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the sources said.
Japan is considering providing yen loans to Vietnam if it decides to introduce its train fare card system, the sources said.
In Japan, major transport authorities are using the electronic cards under such names as Suica, Pasmo and Icoca, to pay for train and bus fare, as well as make small purchases. They are also mining the big data collected from customers to improve business or advise other interested parties.