More Japanese using e-payment for taxes, premiums
More people in Japan are paying their taxes and public pension premiums by using computers and mobile phones.
The online system for making payments to the central and local governments was introduced 4 years ago. The use of electronic payments has grown rapidly since then, reaching 9.27 million cases in fiscal 2007, up 47 percent from the year before.
The amount of money paid nearly doubled to about 24-billion dollars because more local governments are joining the system, and a wider range of taxes can now be paid online.
Tokyo's Koto Ward will begin a trial payment system for national health insurance premiums next month.
It will use credit card companies and 3 types of electronic money available on mobile phone networks.
Local governments hope that the electronic payment system will help to encourage more young people to meet their social obligations.
2008/05/12 11:47
NHK WORLD English