Sale of Suica and Pasmo Cards Suspended in Japan

Tourists new to Japan could face inconveniences while trying to navigate public transportation in the coming weeks. According to a report, both East Japan Railway (JR East) and Pasmo Co. have announced that the sale of their Suica and Pasmo cards will be suspended starting August 2.

The rechargeable e-money cards have become a ubiquitous part of life and travel in Japan, expanding well beyond their use for public transportation and functioning as a convenient way to pay for goods and services.

The suspension of sales for all Suica and Pasmo cards is yet another result of the ongoing global semiconductor shortage. The tech component required to make the tap functions of the cards has fallen into short supply making it difficult to provide new issuances. The suspension comes after JR East and Pasmo Co. already suspended the sale of unregistered Suica and Pasmo cards in June.

Currently, the only physical cards available are monthly commuter rail passes, and while mobile versions can be used they may not be compatible with overseas phone models and payment methods.

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