- Taspo
nihongo|Taspo|タスポ, formerly known as nihongo|Tobacco Card|たばこカード|tabako kādo, is a
smart card developed by theTobacco Institute of Japan (TIOJ), the nihongo|nationwide association of tobacco retailers|全国タバコ販売協同組合連合会|Zenkoku Tabako Hanbai Kyōdō Kumiai Rengōkai, and the nihongo|Japan Vending Machine Manufacturers Association|日本自動販売機工業会|Nihon Jidōhanbaiki Kōgyōkai for introduction in 2008. Following its introduction, the card will be necessary in order to purchase cigarettes fromvending machine s inJapan . The name "Taspo" stands for nihongo|"tobacco passport"|たばこのパスポート|"tabako no pasupōto".The group announced plans for development of the Tobacco Card in 2001. The aim is to reduce smoking by underaged people. Testing began the following year, and a second round of testing followed in 2004.
Details of the card were announced in 2005. The card incorporates an integrated circuit that contains information about the age of the holder. Card issuance is restricted so that only adults aged 20 and over may acquire the cards. The cards are contactless, so that vending machines will be able to read them without contact. The cards are able to store value, giving purchasers the option to pay by card or by cash. Users are able to add more value at vending machines.
Consumers can apply for the cards by filling out a form available at tobacco retailers and mailing it, along with a copy of a verifiable identification document (driver's license, health-insurance card, etc.) and a facial photo to TIOJ. No fees are required to obtain the card. Cardholders can cancel lost or stolen cards by contacting TIOJ to remotely disable the cards' use at vending machines.
The final pilot program began in March 2008, and was phased in after that, becoming operational nationwide by
1 July 2008 .See also
* Geldkarte - In
Germany (German language edition)External links
* [http://www.taspo.jp/english/index.html Taspo official website] en icon
* [http://www.tioj.or.jp/work/f3_7.html Tobacco Institute of Japan] ja icon
* [http://www.zenkoku-tabakoya.jp/topics/jihanki.html Zenkoku Tabakoya] ja icon
* [http://www.jvma.or.jp/ Japan Vending Machine Manufacturers Association] ja icon
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
