How Mobile Payment Use and Digital Literacy Shape Japanese Tourists’ Satisfaction: Insights from Innovation-Related Theories

As a leading Asia-Pacific tourism destination, Japan is experiencing a strong recovery in its tourism sector. With rising tourist spending, the influence of payment methods on overall travel satisfaction is gaining attention. This study employed Innovation Diffusion Theory and Innovation Resistance Theory to examine antecedents of mobile payment usage among domestic travelers in Japan, and how usage and digital literacy affect satisfaction. Data were collected from 542 respondents via an online survey and analyzed using SmartPLS 4. Results reveale that perceived relative advantage and observability positively influenced actual use, while risk barrier had a negative impact. Notably, digital literacy exerted a stronger influence on transaction satisfaction than on actual usage. In addition, actual usage significantly enhanced both transaction and travel satisfaction. These findings suggest that promoting mobile payments not only supports the development of smart tourism but also contribute to a more seamless and satisfying travel experience in Japan.