Japanese SEO,

PayPal offers 3 payment solutions. If you offer custom products and services - like proofreading and editing service and custom-made surfboards - then Email Payment is for you. If you sell pre-priced products, then Website Payments Standard or Express Checkout. If PayPal is the only payment method for your website, Website Payments Standard. Otherwise, Express Checkout. The comparison chart is here.

For Website Payments Standard and Express Checkout, you probably want to check through some options at your PayPal account’s “profile” > “Selling Preferences”.

PayPal is probably the best payment solution for e-commerce business owners who want to sell to Japan from other countries.  The merits include:

• PayPal accepts JCB.
• No set-up fees.  No monthly fees.
• Low transaction fees: 1.9% - 2.9% + $0.30 USD per transaction
• Fast and easy set-up.
• Buyers can pay with their credit card without having PayPal account .
• Buyers do not need to inform their credit card number to the seller.
• PayPal supports multiple currencies.

PayPal’s Japan site showing JCB logo here:

A drawback is that PayPal is not as widely used in Japan as in the US.  In particular, the fact that having PayPal account is not required to use the service does not seem to be known well.  Well, I did not know it until recrently, and I see confirming statements on the net.  So it would probably be a good idea to make sure the fact is clearly stated on your website where customers are about to start buying process.