Toranoana Introduces New Payment Method in Japan After Visa and Mastercard Censorship

Japanese platform Toranoana has announced a major update regarding its payment system after Visa and Mastercard transactions were suspended. Known for selling doujinshi (independent manga works), the company is now offering a local payment option, strengthening its operations in Japan and reducing dependence on international card networks.

Toranoana Introduces New Payment Method in Japan After Visa and Mastercard Censorship

Toranoana, one of Japan’s largest physical and online doujinshi retailers, revealed on October 8 that it now supports au PAY, a popular Japanese smartphone payment service with over 38 million users.

This change comes after Visa and Mastercard transactions were suddenly suspended in August last year and have remained unavailable ever since. Although Toranoana never disclosed the exact reason, it’s widely believed that the restriction was due to the platform’s adult-oriented content — a situation similar to what platforms like Steam and itch.io have faced in recent years due to payment processors tightening their policies.

With this new system, Japanese users can make purchases more securely and independently, without relying on foreign intermediaries. Unlike DLsite, which created an in-house payment system connected to a mobile bank, Toranoana chose to partner with an already established service provided by a major telecom company.

Available alternatives and limitations

While this is good news for users in Japan, the au PAY method requires a Japanese phone number, meaning it will not be available to international buyers. Currently, Toranoana still accepts JCB, American Express, and Diners Club cards, but according to the site’s official FAQ, Visa and Mastercard payments are unlikely to return anytime soon.

This decision aligns with a broader trend among Japanese platforms hosting adult or independent content — diversifying payment options to minimize the impact of financial censorship and reduce reliance on Western credit card networks.

Japanese politician Zenko Kurishita, who has spoken publicly about financial restrictions on adult media, recently stated that diversifying payment methods is the most effective way to counter this type of censorship.

Both Toranoana and DLsite appear to be following this path, adopting local and independent systems to ensure their operations remain uninterrupted. This move demonstrates the resilience of Japan’s doujinshi market, which continues to adapt and thrive despite increasing pressure from international financial institutions.