Sure Japan has some weird anachronisms but everyone pays for buses and trains using contactless transit cards, just like most rich countries. And lots of people just use Apple Wallet on their phone or watch.
Likewise, there are many different competing payment systems in daily use (including Western-style contactless card payments and Chinese-style QR code mobile payment networks). There are so many options that cash registers normally have a little poster next to them informing you which of the payment networks are available (it’s often more than 20).
Cash is still more widely used than in day Sweden, China or Australia. But if I were to guess I’d say it’s because there are too many available alternatives (no single dominant network) rather than too few.
International contactless cards don’t work period - you need SUICA or PASMO for the metro. Buses outside of the cities are cash based.
I travelled in Hokkaido, Rishiri, Okinawa, Ishigaki, Iriomote etc. They simply did not take cards at all. Also true on small private train lines such as Kanazawa to Uchinada.
Likewise, there are many different competing payment systems in daily use (including Western-style contactless card payments and Chinese-style QR code mobile payment networks). There are so many options that cash registers normally have a little poster next to them informing you which of the payment networks are available (it’s often more than 20).
Cash is still more widely used than in day Sweden, China or Australia. But if I were to guess I’d say it’s because there are too many available alternatives (no single dominant network) rather than too few.