UC Card

What UC Card does

UC Card Co., Ltd. (ユーシーカード株式会社) is a privately held Japanese credit card issuer and member of the Mizuho Financial Group, headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo. The company operates a multi-issuer brand: cards bearing the UC mark are issued either by UC Card Co., Ltd. (alongside approximately 16 regional UC Card Group issuers including Kirayaka Card, Hokuetsu Card, Shimagin UC Card, Fukuhoku Card, and Banshu Shinkin Bank) or by Credit Saison (株式会社クレディセゾン), with each issuer running its own loyalty program — Credit Saison-issued cards run on the permanent non-expiring "永久不滅ポイント" (Eikyu Fumei Points) program, while UC Card Group-issued cards run on the UC Point catalog program. The company serves three principal segments: individual cardholders (general, gold, and platinum tiers), corporate and business clients (corporate cards, sole-proprietor "View Business Owners Card"), and merchants accepting UC Card payment rails.

The product portfolio spans core credit cards, ETC add-ons (permanently fee-free), the UC Platinum tier with Priority Pass lounge access and dedicated platinum desk, UC Corporate Cards, UC Gift Cards (1,000-yen and 5,000-yen denominations), collectible UC PREPAID cards with anime collaborations, and — as of January 2023 — a BNPL offering brokered via partnership with Net Protections. Underlying infrastructure supports processing across JCB, Mastercard, Visa, UnionPay, Diners Club, and American Express networks; contactless and electronic money acceptance via QUICPay, iD, WAON, nanaco, Rakuten Edy, J-Coin Pay, and transit IC (Suica/PASMO); and mobile wallet binding through Apple Pay and Google Pay. Member self-service is delivered through the AtuNet web portal, UC Portal mobile app (iOS/Android), and the 24/7 UC Voice Service automated phone line.

Revenue is generated through merchant transaction fees (加盟店手数料), annual membership fees on most card products (UC ETC Card is permanently fee-free), revolving credit interest, cash advance fees, bundled insurance commissions (notably overseas travel insurance), and gift card sales. Distribution runs through direct online applications, phone channels, bank-branch and partner outlets, the regional UC Card Group reseller network, corporate card field sales, and a nationwide gift card retail footprint spanning department stores, supermarkets, and hotels. The company holds Privacy Mark certification (JIS Q 15001) from JIPDEC, and the broader UC Card Group operates under Mizuho Financial Group governance.

Name

UC Card

Legal name

ユーシーカード株式会社 (UC Card Co., Ltd.)

Website

https://www2.uccard.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

UC Card Co., Ltd. is a privately held Japanese credit card issuer within Mizuho Financial Group, operating a multi-issuer UC brand alongside Credit Saison and ~16 regional group issuers. It serves individuals, corporates, and merchants with credit, gift, and BNPL products across JCB, Mastercard, Visa, UnionPay, and electronic money networks.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Consumer Credit Cards

NAICS

Credit Card Issuing (522210)

SIC

Personal Credit Institutions (6141)

akta.pro primary industry

Cards & Issuing Management (Debit/Prepaid/Credit, Program Management) (FSAGAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Rewards & Loyalty Credit Cards (FSAKABAH), Commercial & Corporate Card Schemes (FSAMAAAF), BNPL Card / Virtual Card Programs (FSAKACAC)

Keywords

• Credit card services
• Consumer lending
• Payment processing
• Loyalty programs
• Corporate cards

Headquarters

HQ city

Minato

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Card Transaction Fees (加盟店手数料): UC Card charges merchant transaction fees (加盟店手数料) for processing credit card payments. Fees are calculated as a percentage of each transaction amount and are non-taxable.
2. Credit Card Annual Fees: Most UC Card products charge annual membership fees. Some premium cards (e.g., UC Platinum Card) may have higher fees with corresponding benefit packages. UC ETC Card is permanently free (年会費永久無料).
3. Revolving Credit Interest: Interest income from cardholders who carry balances on revolving payment plans (リボルビング払い). The company also charges shopping revolving fees (ショッピングリボ手数料率) as outlined in policy revisions.
4. Cash Advance (キャッシング): Fees and interest from cash advance services (キャッシング), including revolving and lump-sum repayment options for personal cardholders.
5. Insurance Services Commission: Commissions from bundled insurance products including overseas travel insurance (海外旅行傷害保険), which underwent policy revisions in 2021.
6. Gift Card Sales: Revenue from sale of UC Gift Cards (1,000円券 and 5,000円券 denominations), sold via internet, phone, fax, and authorized retailers nationwide.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

UC Card Co., Ltd. (ユーシーカード株式会社) is a Japanese credit card issuer that issues and services personal, corporate, and platinum credit cards under the UC Card brand, jointly with Credit Saison and approximately 15 regional UC Card Group issuers. Its core offering is the UC Card itself — a multi-tier credit card product with revolving and installment repayment, cash advance, point-based loyalty programs (永久不滅ポイント and UCポイント), and ETC, gift card, and BNPL add-on services. The company also operates merchant acquiring services across multiple payment networks (JCB, Mastercard, Visa, UnionPay, Diners Club, American Express) and electronic money systems (QUICPay, WAON, nanaco, Rakuten Edy, iD, J-Coin Pay).

Product overview

UC Card is a multi-issuer credit card brand operated byユーシーカード株式会社 (UC Card Co., Ltd.) and株式会社クレディセゾン, along with a network of regional UC Card Group companies. The core offering is the UC Card itself — a credit card available in personal, corporate, and Platinum tiers — which serves as the platform on which all other products and services are delivered. On top of the core card, UC Card provides an ETC card add-on (年会費免费), two competing point programs (永久不滅ポイント for Credi Saison's UC Card and UCポイント/にこにこプレゼント forユーシーカード's UC Card), a UC Gift Card prepaid product, a UC PREPAID collectible prepaid card series (anime collaborations), and the co-branded Tokyo Metro To Me CARD UC Gold Card. Members access and manage their accounts via the online portal アットユーネット (Atu Net) and the UC Portal mobile app, with phone support through UC音声サービス (24/7 automated) and dedicated desks for Platinum and corporate members. A BNPL service was introduced via partnership with Net Protections (2023). The company also operates a broad merchant acceptance network supporting multiple electronic payment methods including QUICPay, WAON, nanaco, Rakuten Edy, iD, UnionPay, J-Coin Pay, and、交通系電子マネー (Suica/PASMO), as well as mobile wallets Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 永久不滅ポイント (Eikyu Fukasetsu Point): Point program for Credit Saison-issued UC Card members, offering points that never expire and can be redeemed for a variety of items.
• UCポイント (UC Point)
• UCギフトカード (UC Gift Card)
• UC ETCカード (UC ETC Card)
• UCプラチナカード (UC Platinum Card)
• UC法人カード (UC Corporate Card)
• ビュー・ビジネスオーナーズカード (View Business Owners Card)

Products and services

• UC Card (UCカード) Multi-tier credit card product line (general, gold, platinum) for individual and corporate cardholders, offering revolving and installment repayment, cash advance, point-based loyalty, and mobile wallet (Apple Pay/Google Pay) support.
• UC ETC Card (UC ETCカード) Free-of-charge Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) card add-on for UC Card members enabling cashless passage through Japanese toll roads. Issued via Atu Net internet application or via UC音声サービス phone channel.
• UC Platinum Card (UCプラチナカード) Top-tier personal credit card offering premium benefits including Priority Pass airport lounge access, dedicated platinum desk (0120-934-922), enhanced insurance, and elevated point returns.
• UC Corporate Card / UC法人カード Business and corporate credit cards for enterprises and corporate representatives, offering expense management, fleet card options, and dedicated corporate billing structures, including UCコーポレートカード and UC法人ゴールド tiers.
• View Business Owners Card (ビュービジネスオーナーズカード) Credit card targeted at corporate representatives and sole proprietors, providing expense management features for self-employed professionals. Launched March 2023.
• Permanent Non-Expiring Points (永久不滅ポイント) Point loyalty program for Credit Saison-issued UC Card members in which points never expire and can be redeemed for catalog items, gift cards, airline mileage, and cash equivalents via the 永久不滅ポイント platform.
• UC Point (UCポイント / にこにこプレゼント) Point loyalty program for UC Card Group-issued cards redeemable for catalog items (gourmet, home & kitchen, catalog gifts, gift vouchers, mileage) starting from 200 points through the にこにこプレゼント catalog.
• UC Gift Card (UCギフトカード) Prepaid national gift certificate (全国共通商品券) usable at UC Card partner merchants nationwide including department stores, supermarkets, shopping centers, and hotels. Sold in 1,000円券 and 5,000円券 denominations via internet, phone, fax, and authorized retailers.
• UC PREPAID (Prepaid Card Series) Collectible prepaid cards featuring anime artwork collaborations (e.g., 'The Irregular at Magic High School,' 'Quintessential Quintuplets'), sold during limited sales periods.
• Tokyo Metro To Me CARD UC Gold Card Co-branded gold credit card with Tokyo Metro offering Metro Point rewards; renewed January 2026 with updated benefits.
• Plus EX Card (プラスEXカード) Specialty credit card product for commuter rail pass holders; enrollment acceptance began June 2022.
• Atu Net (アットユーネット) Online Member Portal Online account management portal for UC Card members enabling balance checks, payment changes, point redemptions, campaign entries, card applications, and new service registration.
• UC Voice Service (UC音声サービス) 24/7 automated phone service (0120-191-051 / 81-3-6893-1645 international) for balance inquiries, PIN changes, point balance checks, and new card applications without human operator intervention.
• BNPL Service (Net Protections Referral) Buy Now Pay Later payment option introduced January 2023 via referral agreement with Net Protections (ネットプロテクションズ), expanding payment flexibility for UC Card cardholders.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• ネットプロテクションズ (Net Protections)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 January 2023UC Card entered into a BNPL (Buy Now Pay Later) service introduction business commission contract with Net Protections. This partnership allows UC Card to offer deferred payment options to its cardholders through Net Protections' BNPL services.
• みずほフィナンシャルグループ (Mizuho Financial Group)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUC Card is a member of the Mizuho Financial Group. The company's privacy policy, corporate governance, and business operations are aligned with Mizuho's corporate standards. The company explicitly states it is 'みずほフィナンシャルグループの一員として' (as a member of Mizuho FG) in its customer service policies.
• 株式会社クレディセゾン (Saison Corporation)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor株式会社クレディセゾン is one of two main issuers of UC Card branded products. It handles individual card issuance and provides the '永久不滅ポイント' program for its UC Card members. It also manages corporate card services under the UC Card brand.
• 大和コネクト証券 (Daiwa Connect Securities)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerUC Card runs co-branded investment promotion campaigns with Daiwa Connect Securities, offering new account holders up to 3,500円 in gifts and stock purchase amount bonuses when using their UC Cards for card-based investment services.
• セゾン投信 (Saison Asset Management)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerUC Card runs investment promotion campaigns with Saison Asset Management, offering permanent non-expiring points (up to 10,000円 equivalent) for new account openings combined with card-based investment (カードでつみたて) services.
• 星野リゾート (Hoshino Resorts)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerUC Card members receive exclusive 10% discount at Hoshino Resorts properties including Hoshino Resorts RAY, Kai, Resonare, OMO, and BEB brands through special rate programs via Saison Card.
• LIXILminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUC Card runs renovation expense promotion where card usage earns double permanent non-expiring points (永久不滅ポイント2倍) for LIXIL renovation costs.
• 京都大学iPS細胞研究所 (Kyoto University CiRA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerUC Card runs a support program allowing cardholders to donate points or use card payments to support Kyoto University iPS Cell Research Foundation. Annual activity reports published on company website.
• JCB (株式会社ジェーシービ―)coreTechnology or IntegrationJCB operates the QUICPay and QUICPay+ contactless payment system. UC Card's merchant agreements include QUICPay acceptance and its card members can use QUICPay-enabled mobile wallets. JCB also licenses card brand to UC Card for JCB-branded card issuance.
• Visa Worldwide / Mastercard Asia PacificcoreTechnology or IntegrationUC Card issues cards on Visa and Mastercard networks, enabling international acceptance. Merchant agreements include DCC (Dynamic Currency Conversion) services for foreign cardholders paying in JPY.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Rakuten Card: Largest credit card issuer in Japan by cards in circulation; Rakuten ecosystem integration creates direct competition to UC Card in points/rewards-driven consumer credit cards.
• Sumitomo Mitsui Card Company: SMBC group's card-issuing subsidiary, one of Japan's three megabank-affiliated issuers; offers personal, corporate, and premium cards in direct competition with UC Card's tiered lineup.
• JCB Co., Ltd. Japan's leading domestic card network and credit card issuer; partners with UC Card (UC issues JCB-branded cards under license) while also being a direct competitor in Japanese consumer and corporate card markets.
• Credit Saison: Co-issuer of UC Card brand alongside UC Card Co., Ltd. and direct competitor in the Japanese credit card market; operates the 永久不滅ポイント program for its UC Card customers and competes with its own Saison Card lineup.
• Aeon Financial Service: Card-issuing arm of Aeon Group; offers consumer credit cards with retail point programs in direct competition with UC Card for everyday spending cardholders.
• Orient Corporation (Orico): Major Japanese consumer finance company offering credit cards, installment loans, and revolving credit; competes with UC Card in unsecured personal credit and card lending.
• View Card: JR East Group's credit card issuer with co-branded transit cards (View Suica); competes with UC Card's transit-rail co-branded cards such as the Tokyo Metro To Me CARD UC Gold Card.
• EPOS Card: Credit card issuer subsidiary of Marui Group; focuses on retail customers with loyalty-driven card products directly comparable to UC Card's value proposition.
• Mitsubishi UFJ NICOS: MUFG group's card-issuing arm; competes with UC Card across consumer and corporate card segments and is one of Japan's largest credit card issuers by transaction volume.

Emerging players

• PayPay Card: QR-code payment giant PayPay's card-issuing arm (formerly Yahoo! Card); represents the digital-native challenger to UC Card in the consumer credit card segment, leveraging PayPay mobile wallet integration.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about UC Card