bitWallet to change its registered name, services and logo

bitWallet Inc. (“bitWallet,” CEO: Yoshihisa Yamada, Head Office: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo), which manages the electronic money service “Edy” as a subsidiary of the Rakuten Group (“Rakuten,” Chairman and CEO: Hiroshi Mikitani, Head Office: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo), will change its registered company name, services and logo from June 1, 2012.

This year marks the third year since bitWallet became a member of the Rakuten Group in January 2010. Changes are being made in order to clarify the company’s position in the Rakuten Group and maximize synergy with each of the Group’s services.

Details of the changes are listed below.


１．  New brand：　  　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 【OLD】　　　　　　　　　　　　　　【NEW】
-Registered company name　　　　　　　　　　　bitWallet Inc.　　　　　　　　　Rakuten Edy Inc.
- Services　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Edy　　　　　　　　　　　　　Rakuten Edy
-Logo　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　https://www.edy.jp/press/2012/images/20120201.jpg


2. Date the changes will come into effect: June 1, 2012 (Fri.)


Each of the company’s services, such as Edy-compatible credit cards and smartphones, systems allowing users to earn various points and frequent flier miles when using Edy, and the usage eco-system at Edy-affiliate stores, will continue to function as normal following the change.

Rakuten is planning to introduce a number of customer-focused measures aimed to attract more people to Rakuten through Edy. These include such measures as introducing a special rate plan for merchants on Rakuten Ichiba or services offering points for Rakuten Ichiba customers.

While working to increase the number of Edy users, Rakuten aims to also raise the level of satisfaction customers and affiliates feel toward the service moving forward.