Roppongi, Tokyo

Payment Processing Options
for FCC Tokyo

Accepting digital donations - online, in-app, and in-person

Prepared by
March 19, 2026
Priest Meeting - 9:30 AM

Processor Comparison

Four options evaluated for accepting donations in Japan (JPY)

Square Recommended Stripe Apple Pay PayPay
Transaction Fee (Online) 3.6% 3.6% Via processor30% if via App Store 1.98%Lowest rate
Transaction Fee (In-Person) 3.25% (Visa/MC)3.95% (JCB/Amex) N/AOnline only N/A 1.98%QR code only
Monthly Fee Free Free Free Free
Setup Fee Free Free Free Free
Hardware Cost Reader ~¥4,980one-timeTerminal ~¥46,980 (one-time) None needed None needed FreePrinted QR code
Japan / JPY Support Yes (native) Yes Yes Yes (Japan only)
Recurring Donations Yes Yes Limited No
In-Person Donations YesTap, chip, QR NoQR code for easy online payment via phone NoQR code for easy online payment via phone YesQR code scan
Online / In-App Yes Yes YesVia processor LimitedPayPay app only
QR Code Donations Yes No No Yes (primary)
International Cards Yes Yes Yes NoJapan bank/cards only
Setup Complexity LowPlug and play LowAccount setup MediumRequires processor LowRegister online
Payout Speed Next business day 2-7 days (Japan) Via processor Next business day
FCC Website & App Integration? Yes Yes Via Square No

Recommendation: Square + PayPay

  • Square for international visitors and the global parish community - accepts Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex from any country. Essential for FCC, where a large portion of the congregation are visitors and expats
  • PayPay for the Japanese community - lowest fees (1.98%), no hardware needed, and most Japanese parishioners already have PayPay on their phones. A simple QR code at the chapel is all that's needed
  • Square is already integrated into the FCC Tokyo app - no additional development needed
  • Both support in-person donations at the chapel (Square via card reader, PayPay via QR scan)
  • Both offer next-business-day payouts
  • Together, they cover every parishioner - local residents and international visitors alike

What does this look like on a real donation?

Example: a parishioner donates ¥5,000

Square (Online)
¥180 fee
Church receives ¥4,820
3.6%
PayPay
¥99 fee
Church receives ¥4,901
1.98%
Stripe
¥180 fee
Church receives ¥4,820
3.6%
Apple In-App Purchase
¥1,500 fee
Church receives ¥3,500
30% App Store cut

What if the donator covers the processing fee?

Many churches offer a checkbox: "I'd like to cover the processing fee so 100% goes to the church." The donator pays slightly more, and the church receives the full amount.

Square (Online)
Donator pays ¥5,187
Church receives ¥5,000
+¥187 covers the 3.6% fee
PayPay
Donator pays ¥5,101
Church receives ¥5,000
+¥101 covers the 1.98% fee
Stripe
Donator pays ¥5,187
Church receives ¥5,000
+¥187 covers the 3.6% fee
Apple In-App Purchase
Donator pays ¥7,143
Church receives ¥5,000
+¥2,143 covers the 30% fee

Apple Pay via web browser uses the underlying processor's rate (no extra fee). PayPay only works for Japan-based users with Japanese bank accounts.