The Japanese platform DLsiteknown for distributing games and doujinshi digital, announced the October 6 the launch of a new internal payment system after the suspension of card transactions Visa and Mastercard. The new method, called “Minna no Ginko Payment”is presented as an immediate solution developed in collaboration with the Japanese digital bank Minna no Ginko.
The measure comes after international card brands suspended their use in DLsite due to the handling of adult content within the platform. In April 2024, the company had announced the temporary deactivation of payments with Visa and Mastercard, leaving JCB as the only credit option available to users in Japan.
Prior to these restrictions, DLsite attempted to modify tags related to its adult content, such as “loli”to comply with the guidelines of payment processors, although the measures were not sufficient.
A new direct payment system
In response, parent companies viviON and Eisys they developed the system Minna no Ginko Paymentwhich allows direct payments by linking a Minna no Ginko bank account with a viviON user account. In this way, the transaction is processed without international intermediaries.
DLsite has also started offering discounts and rewards to users who adopt this new method, although its availability will be limited to Japanese territory. According to the official site of Minna no Ginkoit is not possible to open accounts from abroad or guarantee the operation of the application outside of Japan.
Context and background
This type of initiative is not new in the sector. In 2022, the artistic commission platform Skeb launched its own cryptocurrency, Skeb Coinalso as an alternative to the restrictions of traditional payment systems.
Do you think other Japanese platforms will follow the example of DLsite and will they develop their own digital payment methods?
