According to local authorities, the earthquake claimed 38 lives, injured more than 100 people, damaged over 11,000 buildings, and forced more than 8,500 residents to evacuate. Recovery efforts continue as communities work to restore homes, infrastructure, and essential services. 

Actual Photo Taken at AEON Mall from Hội người Việt Nam tại Kumamoto

In addition to the monetary donation, Smiles Mobile Remittance has coordinated with local rescue teams to provide immediate humanitarian assistance by donating more than 100 portable 20-liter water containers to support emergency response activities and affected residents. 

Actual Photos of the Residents and Relief Team

As a company serving international communities across Japan, DWC recognizes the importance of standing alongside both local residents and foreign nationals during times of crisis. Through these relief efforts, the company hopes to contribute to the recovery of Kumamoto and support the communities that have long been part of the Smiles family. 

Digital Wallet Corporation remains committed to supporting communities in times of need and will continue contributing to disaster relief and community recovery initiatives as part of its corporate social responsibility. 

For more information about the Kumamoto Prefecture Earthquake Relief Fund, please visit the official Kumamoto Prefecture website. 

Smiles CSR activities: 

Annual “1 Million Smiles” Program 
Digital Wallet Corporation Donates 1 Million JPY to Ishikawa Earthquake Relief Efforts 
What “Share Smiles” Means to Us: Our Global Mission 

DW Contact :
Email: info@digitalwallet.co.jp 

With this new enhancement, customers using the Smiles App can now enjoy a faster and more convenient way of sending money to their loved ones in the Philippines. 

Regardless of the remittance amount, funds sent through Smiles will be automatically credited to the beneficiary’s PNB bank account in real time, providing greater speed, reliability and peace of mind.

A new milestone in digital remittance

As one of the leading mobile remittance services, Smiles has consistently invested in innovative technology to make international money transfers easier and more efficient. 

The company previously introduced its next-generation mobile application, featuring an enhanced user interface, real-time transaction tracking and personalized financial tools designed to improve customer experience.

The introduction of real-time PNB crediting marks another significant step in Smiles’ commitment to delivering customer-focused financial solutions that make it easier for overseas Filipinos to send money to the Philippines.

How real-time PNB crediting works

Sending money to a PNB account is now easier than ever:

1. Open the Smiles app.
2. Select your beneficiary with a PNB bank account.
3. Enter the remittance amount.
4. Confirm and submit your transaction.

Once the transaction is successfully processed, the funds will be automatically credited to the beneficiary’s PNB account in real time, regardless of the amount sent.

This means recipients can access their funds faster, helping families manage urgent expenses, daily needs, and financial obligations without unnecessary waiting times.

Benefits of real-time PNB transfers

• Instant access to funds
  Beneficiaries receive money directly in their PNB account almost immediately after the transaction is completed.
• Convenient and secure
  Customers can send money anytime and anywhere using the Smiles App, eliminating the need for branch visits or lengthy processing periods.
• No minimum amount requirement
  Whether sending a small amount for daily expenses or a larger remittance for family support, all eligible transfers to PNB accounts go through real-time crediting.
• Greater peace of mind
  Real-time processing helps ensure that funds reach loved ones quickly when they need them most.

Smiles’ commitment to innovation

Since its launch, Smiles Mobile Remittance has focused on providing secure, convenient and technology-driven remittance services. The platform leverages advanced digital technologies to help overseas workers and global citizens support their families with confidence.

The company’s continuous app enhancements reflect its commitment to improving customer experiences through innovation and operational excellence.

With the addition of real-time PNB account crediting, Smiles further strengthens its mission of delivering faster, smarter and more reliable remittance services to customers around the world.

Experience faster remittances today

Download the Smiles App and enjoy the convenience of real-time crediting to PNB bank accounts. Send money to your loved ones in the Philippines with confidence, knowing that your remittance can reach their account quickly and securely.

Whether you’re supporting your family, helping with monthly expenses or sending money during urgent situations, Smiles helps make every transfer faster and more convenient. 

Smiles Mobile Remittance remains committed to empowering customers through innovative financial technology, helping families stay connected across borders through fast and reliable money transfer services.

Because every remittance is more than a transaction, it’s a way to “Share Smiles” with your loved ones.

Smiles Mobile Remittance has become the preferred choice for migrant workers in Japan, celebrated for its user-friendly design and advanced features that prioritize security, speed and value. Developed by former Sony designers and engineers, the service combines cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) and fintech capabilities to offer reliability. The platform was also recognized with the prestigious 2021 Good Design Award for its excellence in functionality and user experience.

The service is built around providing accessibility and value, offering transparent and fair fees and specialized, native multilingual customer service tailored to the needs of the immigrant and overseas worker communities. The alliance with the Philippine National Bank (PNB), a major, government-trusted bank in the Philippines, further solidifies Smiles’ credibility and enables it to expand its global remittance network to better serve overseas Filipino workers worldwide.

“For years, Smiles has been supporting international communities and overseas workers in Japan, Singapore and Canada, providing a service that is both economical and backed by the dedication to quality that defines Japanese innovation,” said Digital Wallet Group Founder and CEO Eiji Miyakawa.

Smiles utilizes advanced technologies, including AI and facial recognition, to ensure transactions are convenient, efficient and highly secure. With its entry into the U.S. market, Digital Wallet Group continues its global expansion, leveraging its expertise in serving the unique needs of global citizens who rely on trusted and convenient ways to send money to their loved ones around the world.

Digital Wallet Group has expanded its operations to 9 countries and is starting to dominate the vital ASEAN market with a population of 686.1 million in 2024. With its strong focus and number one rating in the Philippine market in Japan, Smiles Mobile Remittance is uniquely positioned to serve a growing number of migrants worldwide. DWG is prepared to take on the migrant population of 51.9 million in the United States as part of its mission to unite international communities globally.

“The launch in the United States is a major step in our mission to unite the international society globally. We are thrilled to offer North American customers the same great rates, transparent fees, real-time speed and native multilingual customer support that have made Smiles so successful,” added Mr. Miyakawa.

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About Digital Wallet Group

Digital Wallet Group (DWG) is the holding entity of Japan-based fintech company Digital Wallet Corporation (DWC), the developer of digital remittance platform Smiles Mobile Remittance (Smiles). Digital Wallet was established in 2014 by former Sony designers and engineers as well as employees who developed global cloud services. The company had visions to excel in and provide B2B application and remittance services. In 2017, Digital Wallet combined the powers of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Financial Technology (fintech) and used their expertise to carefully craft and develop a service that helps overseas workers send money to their loved ones by offering them the “Everyday Great Rate,” transparent and fair fees, native multilingual customer service and real-time speed through Smiles Mobile Remittance. Smiles has made great achievements such as becoming Japan’s number one global money transfer service and Japan’s largest ATM network after acquiring Seven-Eleven Group’s remittance service. Smiles also received the prestigious 2021 Good Design Award for its excellence in design and functionality. Digital Wallet has expanded its business to 9 countries, including the Philippines, Vietnam, the United States, Canada and Singapore. The company hopes to unite international communities all over the globe with its services. For more information, please visit the following link: https://digitalwallet.co.jp/en/.

About Smiles Mobile Remittance 

Smiles Mobile Remittance (Smiles) was launched by Digital Wallet Corporation (DWC) in 2017 and is Japan’s first and most popular mobile overseas money transfer service with over 1 million mobile application downloads. Secured by advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and facial recognition, users can enjoy greater convenience, better value and efficient services. Smiles is the only financial platform offering mobile remittances with an integrated loyalty and referral program in Japan. Visit us at www.smileswallet.com. 

App name: Smiles Mobile Remittance 

Available Device/OS: Android/iOS 

Download on:   

Google Play  
iTunes App Store 

Payment Source works with large organizations such as PayPal, VISA, American Express and the Canadian government, providing advanced and secure payment-related technology. Their integration of PaySimply and e-Transfer payment services with DWG’s expertise in real-time remittances and offering high exchange rates and low fees will streamline the loading process, making it more efficient and user-friendly to send money overseas from Canada with Smiles.

“Payment Source has a strong reputation and trust by providing national financial infrastructure, including public utility payments and tax-related services,” said Eiji Miyakawa, founder and Chief Executive Officer of DWG. “We’re very happy to partner with them to offer the best financial services to our Smiles customers in Canada, allowing them to send money to their loved ones overseas seamlessly.”

DWG’s Smiles Mobile Remittance has earned its reputation within the Filipino community in Japan as the number one mobile remittance service by providing high-tech services to enable fast, affordable and reliable international money transfers. Designed with migrants in mind, Smiles makes it easier for those with loved ones or investments back home to maintain relationships and manage payments seamlessly through an easy-to-use app. 

With the added security and convenience of Payment Source users can send money with confidence, knowing their transactions are protected.

“Payment Source builds innovative solutions that empower people to pay with their own money in simple and secure ways. Embedding the ability to load funds to Smiles wallets via Interac e-Transfer is another example of this,” said Rob Hyde, Chief Executive Officer of Payment Source.

Since launching Smiles Canada in 2022 and building strong relationships with Filipino and Vietnamese customers, as well as the Philippine Embassy, Smiles is now ready to take a major step forward with this strong alliance.

This partnership addresses the critical issue of financial inclusion, ensuring that more individuals, including underserved migrant communities, have access to essential financial services. According to a 2021 report from the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC), immigrants still lacked access to financial services and even experienced a risk of discrimination.

“This collaboration with Payment Source is a significant step forward in improving financial inclusion for migrant workers in Canada. By combining our strengths, we are empowering individuals to connect with their families back home and participate more fully in the global economy,” added Mr Miyakawa. “We’re proud to play a part in building a more inclusive financial future.”

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About Digital Wallet Group & Digital Wallet Corporation

Digital Wallet Group (DWG) is the holding entity of Japan-based fintech company Digital Wallet Corporation (DWC), the developer of digital remittance platform Smiles Mobile Remittance (Smiles). Digital Wallet was established in 2014 by former Sony designers and engineers as well as employees who developed global cloud services. The company had visions to excel in and provide B2B application and remittance services. In 2017, Digital Wallet combined the powers of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Financial Technology (fintech) and used their expertise to carefully craft and develop a service that helps overseas workers send money to their loved ones by offering them the “Everyday Great Rate,” transparent and fair fees, native multilingual customer service and real-time speed through Smiles Mobile Remittance. Smiles has made great achievements such as becoming Japan’s number one global money transfer service and Japan’s largest ATM network after acquiring Seven-Eleven Group’s remittance service. Smiles also received the prestigious 2021 Good Design Award for its excellence in design and functionality. Digital Wallet has expanded its business to 8 countries, including the Philippines, Vietnam, the United States, Canada and Singapore. The company hopes to unite international communities all over the globe with its services. For more information, please visit https://digitalwallet.co.jp/.

About Smiles Mobile Remittance

Smiles Mobile Remittance (Smiles) was launched by Digital Wallet Corporation (DWC) in 2017 and is Japan’s first and most popular mobile overseas money transfer service with over 1 million mobile application downloads. Secured by advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and facial recognition, users can enjoy greater convenience, better value and efficient services. Smiles is the only financial platform offering mobile remittances with an integrated loyalty and referral program in Japan. Visit us at www.smileswallet.com.