Japanese logistics company AZ COM Maruwa Holdings is preparing to use the JPYC yen backed stablecoin to pay approximately 2,300 contractors and truck drivers, marking what is expected to become the first large scale corporate deployment of a regulated stablecoin for business payments in Japan.
The initiative will introduce blockchain based payments into the company’s logistics network, allowing contractors to receive compensation more quickly and without traditional bank transfer fees. Alongside the rollout, AZ COM Maruwa is also considering investing more than ¥1 billion (about $6.2 million) in JPYC Inc., the issuer of the stablecoin.
The move highlights the growing role of regulated stablecoins in Japan as businesses increasingly explore digital payment infrastructure beyond cryptocurrency trading.
Key Takeaways
- AZ COM Maruwa plans to pay around 2,300 contractors using the JPYC yen backed stablecoin.
- The rollout would represent Japan’s first large scale corporate use of a regulated stablecoin.
- The logistics company is considering investing more than ¥1 billion in JPYC Inc.
- Faster, fee free payments are intended to help attract and retain truck drivers amid Japan’s labor shortage.
- JPYC’s onchain circulation has surpassed ¥2 billion since its launch in October 2025.
Stablecoin Payments Target Logistics Challenges
AZ COM Maruwa, a logistics company that counts Amazon Japan among its major clients, intends to replace conventional bank transfers with payments made through JPYC. Because JPYC transactions do not incur transfer fees, the company expects contractors to receive payments more quickly and more frequently than under traditional banking systems.
The initiative is aimed at improving cash flow for independent truck drivers and subcontractors who often face delays associated with conventional settlement methods. Japan’s logistics industry has experienced increasing labor shortages in recent years due to an aging workforce and tighter overtime regulations for drivers. By offering faster access to earnings, AZ COM Maruwa hopes to strengthen its appeal to existing and prospective contractors.
Noritaka Okabe, founder and Chief Executive Officer of JPYC Inc., said the partnership reflects the company’s broader ambitions for digital payments.
“We will continue to advance the integration of logistics and commercial payment flows with JPYC.”
Investment Would Strengthen Partnership
In addition to deploying the stablecoin for contractor payments, AZ COM Maruwa is reportedly considering investing more than ¥1 billion in JPYC Inc. as part of a broader business alliance.
If completed, the investment would deepen cooperation between the two companies while supporting the continued expansion of JPYC’s ecosystem.
The rollout would also represent an important shift for JPYC, extending its use beyond retail payments and investment applications into recurring business to contractor settlements.
Jpyc Continues Expanding Across Japan
JPYC became Japan’s first officially registered yen pegged stablecoin after launching in October 2025. Since then, its circulation has grown steadily, surpassing ¥2 billion onchain.
Earlier this month, convenience store chain Lawson announced plans to begin a pilot program allowing customers to make purchases using JPYC at a Tokyo location. The stablecoin has also attracted investment from established companies. In March, Metaplanet Ventures, the investment arm of Bitcoin treasury company Metaplanet, invested ¥400 million in JPYC Inc.’s Series B funding round.
Japan Accelerates Stablecoin Adoption
AZ COM Maruwa’s initiative comes as Japan’s financial sector continues expanding regulated stablecoin infrastructure. In June, SBI Group introduced JPYSC, described as Japan’s first trust bank backed yen stablecoin.
Meanwhile, three of Japan’s largest banking groups, MUFG, SMBC, and Mizuho, have announced plans to begin live commercial transactions using a jointly issued stablecoin during fiscal year 2026.
The State Bank’s regulatory framework has also encouraged broader experimentation with blockchain based payment systems, allowing both financial institutions and private companies to explore practical applications for regulated digital currencies.
Corporate payments become a new stablecoin use case
Most stablecoin initiatives in Japan have focused on retail payments, interbank settlements, or digital asset investment.
AZ COM Maruwa’s plan introduces a different application by integrating a regulated stablecoin directly into routine contractor payments across a nationwide logistics network.
If successful, the deployment could provide a model for other industries that manage large contractor workforces, including transportation, manufacturing, and supply chain services. The initiative also demonstrates how stablecoins are increasingly being viewed as payment infrastructure capable of improving settlement efficiency rather than simply serving as trading instruments.
Conclusion
AZ COM Maruwa’s planned adoption of JPYC represents a significant milestone for Japan’s regulated stablecoin market. By using a yen backed digital currency to compensate thousands of contractors, the logistics company is testing whether blockchain based payments can improve efficiency while addressing operational challenges such as cash flow and labor retention.
Combined with growing support from financial institutions, retailers, and corporate investors, the rollout reflects Japan’s broader effort to integrate regulated stablecoins into everyday commercial activity. If the deployment proves successful, it could encourage wider adoption of digital payment systems across multiple sectors of the Japanese economy.
