A “1-yen authorization”
A “1-yen authorization” is a temporary 1 yen charge made to verify that a payment card (like a prepaid card) is valid. It’s a process used by stores or services to check if the card can be used for transactions. The charge is usually canceled immediately, and the 1 yen is refunded. This is common when registering a card for online services like Apple ID, Amazon, or Google Play.
For example, when shopping on the App Store or iTunes Store using MobalPay, it’s necessary to register your card information with your Apple ID in advance. During this registration, a phenomenon occurs where 1 yen is temporarily deducted from the MobalPay balance and then quickly refunded.
This same phenomenon happens not only when registering with Apple ID but also when registering a card for online stores like Amazon or PayPal.
Why does this happen?
In fact, this temporary 1 yen charge is done by the store to verify that the registered card is valid and functional.
This “card validity check” is designed for credit cards, so when used with a prepaid card, the system attempts to deduct 1 yen from the balance to check its validity in real-time. Because of this, 1 yen is temporarily deducted and then refunded.
Moreover, due to this card validation check, if your balance is 0 yen at the time of registration, you won’t be able to register your prepaid card with online services like App Store.
Will the 1 yen be deducted permanently?
This is generally canceled immediately, with the 1 yen being refunded. (Note: the timing of the cancellation can vary depending on the authorization amount and the store.)
Are there other “1-yen authorizations”?
The tricky part about this phenomenon is that “1-yen authorizations” can occur with amounts other than 1 yen. For example, the Google Play Store and App Store check card validity by attempting a 200 yen charge. Although the 200 yen will also be refunded, it’s harder to distinguish from a regular payment, making it a somewhat complicated system when using prepaid cards.
Thus, please make sure to top up enough balance (we recommend topping up at least 200 yen) when registering your MobalPay card with any online apps.