Smell of Cash - No More for Some In Japan
One of my favorite smells in the world is the smell of a nice brand new pile of cash. That ink and paper is just oohhh soo good sometimes, while other times it repulses me, but anyways a little off topic. The real reason for this post is to show what I think is a good idea, doing away with cash all together, like 15 million people in Japan have done already. Article Link
Today, however, for 15 million Japanese, paper money is a thing of the past, according to the Japan Research Institute. No longer solely used for online purchases, e-money, accessed via a smart card or mobile phone, has become a way of life for many consumers in Japan.
The e-money trend began there roughly four years ago as a service for busy, on-the-go train commuters. Today, specially equipped mobile phones and smart cards are used to purchase items from convenience stores, department stores, restaurants, newsstands, supermarkets, and other retailers. The Japan Research Institute estimated that by 2008 some 40 million Japanese, roughly one-third of the country, will be using electronic money.