Japan Communications Inc. (Stock code: 9424, hereinafter referred to as "JCI") is pleased to announce that the smartphone payment app "Shiharai-Hisho" (Japanese for "Payment Secretary") provided by WELLNET CORPORATION (Head office: Sapporo, Hokkaido, President and Representative Director: Kazuhiro Miyazawa, Stock code: 2428, hereinafter referred to as "WELLNET") will implement "reliable identity verification using My Number Card" and "Secure Login function" using the "FPoS Library".

Recently, there has been a sharp increase in cases where user IDs and passwords have been stolen after being led to fake sites through phishing emails disguised as securities companies, credit card companies, e-commerce services, delivery companies, etc. As a countermeasure against spoofed payments, strengthening authentication is more important than ever before.

Regarding this issue, Naohisa Fukuda, Representative Director-President of JCI, stated:
"User IDs and passwords are stolen because they are sent over the Internet. With traditional authentication methods, if the user ID and password match the authentication database, the system assumes the user is the correct person and grants access. This is the root of the problem. Furthermore, it is also said that 80% of information leaks are caused by internal factors, mainly due to the need to use an authentication database. This is where FPoS adds value - it is an authentication method that does not rely on checking against an authentication database."

In order to fundamentally resolve this issue, JCI and WELLNET have begun collaborating to develop "e-money with identity authentication" (for details, please refer to our release dated November 28, 2024, "WELLNET and JCI begin collaboration to build the first "e-money with identity authentication" to reduce social costs") and have been preparing to build a highly reliable payment infrastructure that uses WELLNET's wide-ranging cashless payment infrastructure and JCI’s authentication infrastructure, which guarantees identity and authenticity. Implementing FPoS Library into "Shiharai-Hisho" is the first phase.

The authentication function being implemented in "Shiharai-Hisho" will use "FPoS Library" function to issue a digital certificate for identity verification using My Number Card, which will be used to verify the identity of the user when creating a "Shiharai-Hisho" account and to authenticate the user when logging in. This will eliminate mechanisms that pose the risk of impersonation or leakage of authentication information, such as the input of user IDs and passwords.
Using public key cryptography and digital certificates, and two-factor authentication, using a private key stored in a secure area of the smartphone (hardware element) and a PIN set by the user (memorized element) or the user's biometric authentication (biometric element), provides an unprecedented, highly secure, and easy-to-use security environment. This is exactly where FPoS adds value - it is an authentication method that does not rely on checking against an authentication database.

With the mission of "carrying bit in safety and security," JCI will continue to contribute to society through its services and products, aiming to build a sustainable digital society and enhance its corporate value.

(For reference)
WELLNET release:
"From July 2025, "Shiharai-Hisho" will implement the "digital certificate issuance function using My Number Card and the login function with digital certificates!""
*Japanese Only

About Japan Communications Inc. (JCI)

Japan Communications Inc. (JCI), founded in 1996, is a pioneer who created the MVNO market and has brought innovation to the telecommunications industry. While JCI has established a stable profit model in their main business, simple and rational mobile communication services, JCI is aiming for further growth. JCI has strengths in patented technologies such as the mobile leased line "Closed SIM-to-SIM Communication" and the digital authentication technology "FPoS," and is focusing on providing mobile communication services and digital authentication infrastructure based on the authentication technology. The PCI DSS-certified mobile leased line is adopted by high-security sectors, such as police and bank. The FPoS supports security at the highest global standards and convenience. Under the mission of "carrying bit in safety and security," JCI is aiming for developing social infrastructure such as secure mobile environment beyond national borders and is working on sustainable growth and improving corporate value.