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The Suica card is a rechargeable contactless
smart card used on the Japan Rail (JR)
East network in
Japan. Launched in November 2001, the card is usable currently in the
Tokyo-Kanto
area, but will roll out in the
Osaka region in 2004.
Available at JR Midori no Madoguchi counters or at vending
machines, the card costs 2000 yen. This includes a 500 yen deposit which
is returned when the card is turned in. The remaining 1500 yen is
available for train rides, and more money can be charged on to the card at
designated ticket machines. The balance on the card can be checked at
these machines, and a travel record can be printed out as well.
There are two types of Suica, the Suica IO card which can be used to
ride trains in the place of paper tickets and magnetic cards, and the
Suica commuter pass for unlimited travelling between two destinations for
work or school. The Suica commuter pass also doubles as the Suica IO card.
The card incorporates contactless radio frequency identification
RFID technology developed by
Sony, called Felica. The same technology is also deployed in the Edy
electronic cash cards used in Japan, the
Octopus card in
Hong Kong, and a mass transit card in
Singapore.
Suica stands for "Super Urban Intelligent CArd", with a pun on the
Japanese word for watermelon, "suika". The "ic" is highlighted to indicate
the smart card chip technology.
See also:
mass transit systems,
electronic money.
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