The government is considering allowing firms to pay salaries in electronic money to promote a shift toward a cashless society, sources said Tuesday.
The move is being sought as Japan is opening up in April to more foreign blue-collar workers, who are expected to face hurdles in opening bank accounts as they lack domestic assets and transaction histories.
In addition to e-money that can be added to integrated circuit (IC) cards and smartphones, deposits to prepaid cards and smartphone apps will be considered. Cryptocurrencies, which tend to be volatile, will likely be excluded.