(Atsuya Sugawara)In the previous sessions, you mentioned the general expectations for a new service offered by foreign companies. We, QMS International, are launching a new product, we attached Quadrans Blockchain to Peppol Access point.
(Hiroyuki Kato)Is it necessary that Peppol (Open source) is linked to Quadrans (Open source too)? What benefit does it bring?
(AS)That’s a sharp opinion. Indeed, I received the same question many times at the Exchange Summit. The blockchain benefits are not completely appreciated for the current 4 corner model. Right now, it is just an insurance. However, our product does not interfere the Peppol transmission layer at all, bringing advantages coming from Peer to Peer, Time stamp and mutual recognition/authentication. It means the user can be sure the transmission has been completed as it should be, the practice and the meaning of the digital signature and its certificate would be changed. In fact, a whitelist (= smart contract) can give an alternative way of KYC. The new C5 concept presented by Peppol at the Exchange Summit may be a good opportunity for our Quadrans Blockchain. It gets C5 layer operative as smooth as possible. You, Mr.Kato also made a statement of Japan’sB2B focus through the e-invoice project: Our service allows the users to add new applications and to easily adopt new regulations with a new suitable smart contract.
(HK)At the Exchange Summit, we heard the general interest on the blockchain technology. However, all the conclusion was rather negative because of the expensive cost. What about the cost of Quadrans Blockchain? As we are now the Peppol Authority in Japan, we are quite concerned about the cost for the user, because our main task is to promote the Peppol E-Invoice as much as possible. Indeed, we expect Peppol service providers to offer their services at a reasonable cost.
(Atsuya Sugawara) QMS International is now a member of EIPA (E-Invoice Promotion Association in Japan). What does the Digital Agency expect from overseas companies like QMS International as a member of EIPA?
(Hiroyuki Kato) EIPA is a private organization initially established by 10 accounting Japanese software and ERP vendors. It is an important partner for us. The number of membership requests has been increasing so rapidly. However, most of these requests still come from Japanese businesses. I am personally concerned about it, because it is essential for Japanese members to be aware of the latest global e-invoice trends. I am sure that QMS International will blow a new wind towards EIPA members by giving your competence as a European solution provider.
(AS) In fact, the center of the e-invoice discussion is in Europe, including Peppol. However, it is not enough for overseas companies to start business in Japan only with the knowledge of the European standards. It is quite important even for overseas companies to correctly understand Japan country specification. Could you explain its basic idea and concept?
(HK) First, you need to understand that, in Japan, “E-Invoice” means “B2B Tax Compliant E-invoice”. In this context, “Tax” is “Japanese Consumption Tax”.After implementing the “Qualified Invoice Based method” for input tax credit purpose, the Japanese Consumption Tax will be almost the same as EU VAT even though there are some differences when examined in detail.Therefore, I am sure that the basic idea and concepts of Japan country specification (in accordance with Japanese Consumption Tax law) cannot be so hard for overseas companies to understand.
Due to the Corona pandemic, the summit heldhalf online half presence, however there were approx. 100 attendees in thecongress hall.