Meta Title: Starbucks Japan System Failure Affects Registers Meta Description: Starbucks Japan reports a system failure at some registers, affecting payments and prepaid cards. Learn key Japanese tech vocabulary from the news.
On March 9, Starbucks Coffee Japan announced that a system issue was affecting cash registers at some of its stores. The problem is impacting payments and even the information printed on receipts.
System Failure at Store Registers
According to the company, a システム障害 (shisutemu shougai, system failure) has occurred at certain store レジ (reji, cash registers). Because of this, customers may experience delays at checkout.
There is also a 可能性がある (kanousei ga aru, “there is a possibility that…”) that:
- Orders for some products may take longer than usual, and
- The correct product names may not appear on receipts.
In Japanese, the company described these multiple effects using the pattern 〜たり〜たりする, which lists possible actions or situations. We’ll look at this grammar more closely below.
Impact on Starbucks Cards
The issue is also affecting the company’s プリペイドカード (puripeido kaado, prepaid card), known as the Starbucks Card.
At store counters, customers may not be able to:
- Issue a new card
- チャージ (chaaji, top up) their balance
However, not all systems are down. The company confirmed that:
- モバイルオーダー (mobairu oodaa, mobile ordering) is operating normally.
- Starbucks Cards can still be issued and topped up オンライン (onrain, online).
Starbucks is 呼び掛けている (yobikakete iru, calling on or urging) customers to use mobile ordering and online services while the register problem continues.
Cultural Context: Technology and Convenience in Japan
Japan is known for its efficient customer service and smooth payment systems. Convenience stores, cafes, and restaurants often offer multiple cashless options, including prepaid cards and mobile apps.
That’s why even a partial システム障害 (shisutemu shougai) can have a noticeable impact. Customers are used to quick transactions and precise receipts. A delay at the レジ (reji) or an incorrect product name printed on a receipt stands out in a country where accuracy and speed are the norm.
You’ll also notice how many of the key words in this article are written in katakana. Terms like モバイルオーダー, オンライン, and チャージ all come from English. Modern Japanese—especially in tech and business—is full of these adapted loanwords.
Learn Japanese from This Article
Key Vocabulary
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| システム障害 | shisutemu shougai | system failure, system outage |
| レジ | reji | cash register |
| プリペイドカード | puripeido kaado | prepaid card |
| チャージ | chaaji | to top up (a prepaid card) |
| モバイルオーダー | mobairu oodaa | mobile order |
| オンライン | onrain | online |
| 呼び掛ける | yobikakeru | to call on, to urge |
| 可能性がある | kanousei ga aru | there is a possibility that… |
Grammar Spotlight 1: 〜可能性がある
Structure: Plain form + 可能性がある
Meaning: There is a possibility that…
Example from the article context:
時間がかかる可能性がある。 Jikan ga kakaru kanousei ga aru. There is a possibility that it will take time.
正しい商品名が記載されない可能性がある。 Tadashii shouhinmei ga kisai sarenai kanousei ga aru. There is a possibility that the correct product name will not be printed.
This pattern is very common in news reports because it sounds careful and objective.
Grammar Spotlight 2: 〜たり〜たりする
Structure: Verb (た-form) + り + Verb (た-form) + りする
Meaning: To list multiple possible actions or situations (among others).
From the article’s structure:
- 時間がかかったり、正しい商品名が記載されなかったりする。 Jikan ga kakattari, tadashii shouhinmei ga kisai sarenakattari suru. Orders may take time, or correct product names may not be printed (among other possible issues).
This pattern suggests that these are examples, not a complete list.
Useful Expression
- ご利用を呼び掛けている。 Goriyou o yobikakete iru. (They are) calling on customers to use (a service).
You’ll often see 呼び掛ける in news articles when companies or government agencies urge people to take certain actions.
Continue Learning
Working on your reading skills? Our Katakana Essentials: Adapting Global Words to Japanese lesson is a great next step.
Want to learn more about tech? Check out our lesson on Basic Vocabulary Building: Embracing Words Without Latin Ties.
Ready to dive deeper? Our lesson on Reading and Writing in Japanese II: Hiragana and Katakana will help you master these concepts.
Small news stories like this are powerful study tools. You’re not just learning vocabulary—you’re learning how real Japanese companies communicate during unexpected situations.
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