At Macy's, downtown LA
In its history, JCB International started its global operation in 1981 by acquiring JCB merchants by itself　at destinations popular among Japanese tourists. As the cardmember base grew, JCB migrated its expansion strategy into building more comprehensive merchant network by entering into merchant acquiring partnership with local banks and financial institutions in order to cater to the diversifying needs of JCB cardmembers. Through over 30 years’ business with our partners, today JCB Cards are accepted at more than 20 million merchant locations and more than a million ATMs in 190 countries and territories. In the USA, one of the largest destinations for JCB cardmembers around the world, JCB card acceptance locations are increasing at a rapid pace through the reciprocal agreement with DFS, having surpassed 5.5 million in 2011.
Taking advantage of Japan's largest acceptance network, JCB is building reciprocal partnerships with other major international brands and card companies. JCB and American Express Company launched an alliance in 2000 for cooperative acquiring operations in six countries. JCB recruits merchants and processes sales transactions for American Express in Japan, while American Express reciprocates in India, Mexico, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, allowing both brands to expand acceptance for cardmembers in popular travel destinations while reducing operating cost and overhead. In 2003, JCB and China UnionPay Co., Ltd. signed a service cooperation agreement which allows China UnionPay network acceptance of JCB Cards in China. JCB also concluded an ATM network service agreement in 2005 for China UnionPay Cards in Japan, and is planning further business expansion. JCB signed an agreement with City Card Japan in 2006 supporting Diners Club Card acquiring operations in Japan. Also in 2006, JCB and Discover Financial Services LLC launched a major reciprocal acceptance agreement, with Discover network acceptance of JCB Cards in the United States starting in the fall 2007 and JCB network acceptance of Discover network cards in Japan starting in the spring 2009 for significantly greater payment convenience for cardmembers as well as adding value to both international brands. Currently the number of USA merchants accepting JCB surpasses 5.5 million. These alliances benefit not only the international brands and their cardmembers, but also merchants by giving them access to more customers and providing more efficient unified payment settlement for multiple brands.
