Japan leads the way as Sony Felica, first reported in this 2003 story, becomes operational.

Digital World Tokyo – Gadgets, Gear and Good Things from Japan…

The deals, which involve BitWallet’s Edy system and East Japan Railway’s (JR East) Suica system, are the latest in a string of agreements from major retailers to accept e-money in lieu of conventional cash for purchases and services.

They come as technology for the systems, which are both based on Sony’s Felica touch-and-go proximity smart card platform, is on the verge of becoming a standard feature in cellphones.