Japan's logistics company AZ-COM Maruwa Holdings is pushing to introduce yen-linked stablecoin JPYC for about 2,300 partner firms. If carried out, the plan is expected to be the first large-scale corporate use case of JPYC in Japan.

Cointelegraph, a blockchain media outlet, reported on July 20 that the rollout would target transport sole proprietors and contractors, including truck drivers. AZ-COM Maruwa is considering settling the fees and compensation it pays them in JPYC. The focus is on shortening payment cycles and increasing transfer speed. The report cited that using JPYC would not incur transfer fees, enabling faster and more frequent settlements than existing payment methods.

The proposal is seen as an attempt to shift the payment structure of Japan's logistics industry to one based on digital assets. In logistics operations, repeated payments to large numbers of external transport workers and contractors mean settlement costs and speed are directly tied to operational efficiency. That is the point AZ-COM Maruwa is focusing on in considering a stablecoin as a payment method.

AZ-COM Maruwa is also weighing a partnership with JPYC. Investment is also under discussion. The company was reported to be considering a contribution of more than 1 billion yen. The move goes beyond adopting a payment method to also contemplating a cooperative relationship with the stablecoin operator.

JPYC is also placing significance on combining logistics and commerce payment flows. Noritaka Okabe (오카베 노리타카), JPYC founder and chief executive officer, said it will continue pushing integration of logistics and commercial payment flows. "We will continue advancing the integration of logistics and commercial payment flows together with JPYC," he said.

AZ-COM Maruwa is a mid-sized logistics company in Japan. Its major clients include Amazon Japan. If the company actually adopts JPYC, the possibility grows that stablecoins expand beyond consumer payments into areas such as business-to-business payments and compensation for on-site workers.

Amid this trend, related experiments are continuing in Japan's financial sector. Sony Bank and JPYC plan to test a method for customers to instantly buy a yen stablecoin from their bank accounts. AZ-COM Maruwa's review is also drawing attention as a case for gauging what role stablecoins can play in Japan's payment infrastructure.

But at this stage it remains at the level of a plan under review. The timing of any actual introduction and specific operating method have not been confirmed. Market attention is focused on how far AZ-COM Maruwa will flesh out a partnership, investment and a shift in its payment network.