The Cash Passport MasterCard will replace the existing Cash Passport ATM cards that have been available in Japan since 2004 and come with a range of enhanced services.

Japanese travellers can choose from 5 currencies of Cash Passport and now for the first time, cardholders can use their Cash Passport at millions of retailers and ATMs when travelling abroad.

The Cash Passport MasterCard can also be used for online shopping which has proven popular in other markets as cardholders can shop in the currency of the web site, knowing exactly what the goods will cost, and also benefit from added security as the funds are not linked to their everyday bank accounts or credit facility.

"Since launching our prepaid card products in Japan, we have strived to continually enhance the product and provide Japanese travellers with the best way to carry and access their holiday spending money while overseas" said Graham Perry, Travelex Global Sales & Strategic Relationships Director.

"The launch of this new Cash Passport provides travellers with not only a wide choice of currencies but also a much wider acceptance internationally through the extensive MasterCard merchant network" added Mr Perry.

Hideo Fukumoto, senior vice president and general manager, MasterCard Worldwide, said "We are pleased to be working with Travelex to introduce the MasterCard Prepaid Travel Card which will enable Japanese consumers to travel overseas with greater ease and confidence. This new offering provides consumers with yet another convenient payment option suited to specific individual needs. MasterCard looks forward to working with Travelex to introduce even more innovative payment products in the future."

Travelex Japan General Manager, Mr Ken Sakane, added "in addition to the launch of this new product in Japan, Travelex Japan has also been awarded the first ever license as a Funds Transfer Business Operator under the new Funds Settlement Act which commence on 1st April 2010".

"Being granted this license now means that we can develop a range of new travel money and payment products that we have been working on and bring them to the Japanese market in the very near future" added Mr Sakane.

The Cash Passport MasterCard is available in British Pounds, Euros, Japanese Yen, US and Australian Dollars and is instantly issued at any Travelex Retail Branch or can be purchased online via the Cash Passport web site with the choice of branch pick up or home delivery.

As with all Travelex Cash Passport cards, cardholders also have access to 24/7 Global Emergency Assistance which provides a range of free services including interpreter services, replacement of lost or stolen cards, emergency cash to anywhere in the world and help finding legal or medical support.