Launching Operation of Japan's First Common-Platform Reader/Writer for Suica, Edy, and iD(TM)- Available at LAZONA Kawasaki Plaza Starting February 22 -

LaLaport Co., Ltd. (President: Masao Maeda; hereinafter "LaLaport") has begun operation of a reader/writer that allows the use of three brands of electronic money in a single unit. Suica, provided by East Japan Railway Company (President: Satoshi Seino; hereinafter "JR East"), Edy, by bitWallet, Inc. (President: Mario Manabe; hereinafter "bitWallet"), and iD^TM post-paid electronic money offered by NTT DoCoMo, Inc. (President: Masao Nakamura; hereinafter "NTT DoCoMo"). This represents the first introduction of a common-platform reader/writer accommodating three types of electronic money—Suica, Edy, and iD—in Japan.

The system employed for the operation of the common-platform reader/writer is the Multi-Settlement System assembled by NTT DATA Corporation (President: Toru Yamashita; hereinafter "NTT DATA") serving as a system integrator, to enable the LaLaport stores to use the Common Infrastructure (Common Reader/Writer and Common Use Center) managed and operated by the Limited Liability Partnership for Common Infrastructure Operation established by JR East and NTT DoCoMo.
The Multi-Settlement System links together a Toshiba TEC Corporation (President: Yoshihiro Maeda; hereinafter "Toshiba TEC") cash register and one common reader/writer that are placed in stores at the point-of-sale. That system eliminates the requirement for multiple terminals for the various forms of settlement, taking up less space, and there is no need to learn to operate a different terminal for each type of settlement. Moreover, linking the reader/writer with the POS system frees the store clerks from having to make two entries for the amount of a transaction, one into the POS register and another into the settlement terminal, thereby reducing the amount of work and shortening customer waiting time at the register. LaLaport is offering this system as a customer service, responding to the trend toward diversification in the types of settlements, and enhancing customer convenience.

LaLaport will commence operation of the reader/writer Friday, February 22, 2008 at the LAZONA Kawasaki Plaza shopping complex, where it installs cash register systems. Following that, the Urban Dock LaLaport Toyosu, LaLaport Kashiwanoha, and LaLaport Yokohama complexes will switch over to the system enabling use of the single-platform reader/writer for Suica, Edy, and iD. Presently, those facilities handle the three forms of electronic money with a dedicated terminal for Edy and a separate reader/writer for Suica and iD. In addition, LaLaport is considering expanding the installation of electronic money facilities to the commercial centers that it operates throughout the country.
For the implementation of the new electronic money system, serving as "acquirers" are JR East for Suica, bitWallet for Edy, and Sumitomo Mitsui Card Co., Ltd. (President: Koichi Tsukihara) for iD.

* Suica is a registered trademark of East Japan Railway Company.
* iD^TM is a trademark of NTT DoCoMo, Inc.
* Edy is a brand of prepaid electronic money service managed by bitWallet, Inc.
* Acquirers (affiliated store contracting companies) are companies engaged in the business of securing affiliated stores and conducting funds settlements with these stores. 

• See the separate reference document.