gbpjpy comments

What a lovely picture, made me smile

And btw, good for her

"because Osaka is a superstar", and since the games are global event, I suspect this is why she was given the honour. The games are being held against the wishes the majority Japanese people but are a global event. I can't think any other Japanese superstar that would have this global recognition.

Only conclusion I can come to here is a lot of haters. If we had the talent would have the same opportunities too and am sure would take them up. Good luck to her.

Tend to agree with what @daito_hak has written but would add the following - NFC/the technology per se is here nor there. The trick that Apple pulled of to broaden the appeal of this payments feature was signing up all of the major credit card issuers, having access to the underlying payments network. This broadens the user appeal (I can still add to my air miles/reward points, insurance etc) to use this Apple payments feature. For Apple this will contribute to the Apple coffers since they again will take a cut/commission of the payment. The question is is why did the credit cards vendors allow this and what happens next. Think CD/DVD, iTunes.