Vending machines accept e-cash

Many vending machines in Japan (especially in Tokyo) now accept e-cash for payment. There is no need to prepare coins before buying. However, there are several different types of e-cash and they are not compatible, so you would need to have 3 or 4 e-cash cards if you don't want to carry coins at all. Convenient e-cashes are Suica/Pasmo run by train companies, Nanako, iD by NTT Docomo, and Edy.

Smartphone is finally starting up in Japan

Driven by introduction of iPhone in Japan, the smartphone will become a boom in Japan. Cell-phones in Japan are recognized by their high-tech functions, but those functions are not really acceptable for the business use. Following the introcution of iPhone, there are some new smart phones introduced in Japan in the past several weeks.