after

applicationId

count

entityId

superTopicQueueName

topicPageQuery

hooksTopicWidgetQuery

topic

appConfig

filter

entityUuid

advertZone

sponsor

name

urlAlias

hooksTopic

topicDescriptionTopic

topicHeaderTopic

topicRestContentsTopic

topicSeoTopic

topicTopContentsTopic

topicTopicPageTopic

queue

items

query topicPageQuery(
  $after: String
  $applicationId: String!
  $count: Int = 28
  $entityId: String!
  $superTopicQueueName: String!
) {
  ...hooksTopicWidgetQuery_49mQWb
  topic(filter: {entityId: $entityId}) {
    entityId
    entityUuid
    advertZone(version: 2)
    sponsor {
      name
      id
    }
    name
    urlAlias
    ...hooksTopic
    ...topicDescriptionTopic
    ...topicHeaderTopic
    ...topicRestContentsTopic
    ...topicSeoTopic
    ...topicTopContentsTopic
    ...topicTopicPageTopic_1RYlfy
    id
  }
  superTopicQueue: queue(filter: {name: $superTopicQueueName}) {
    items(first: 10) {
      edges {
        node {
          __typename
          ... on Content {
            __isContent: __typename
            entityUuid
            ...helpersCheckIsPlusArticle
            ...homeSecondaryContentItemContent
            ...sectionTopLeadPrimaryContentItemContent
            ...topStoriesItemContent
          }
          ... on Node {
            __isNode: __typename
            id
          }
        }
      }
    }
    id
  }
}

fragment articleCommentArticle on Article {
  ...entityLink
  commentCount
  entityId
}

fragment blockquoteQuoteContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...contentShareWidgetContent
}

fragment checkersCheckContentContainsStarlingImageContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment contentActionBarContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  createdDate
  updatedDate
  publishedDate
  readingTime
  ...articleCommentArticle
  ...helpersIsArticleVideoAsHeroArticle
  ...helpersGetContentTypeNameContent
  ... on Article {
    hasVideoContent
  }
}

fragment contentCoverImageContent_1tYcF5 on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  headline
  images {
    url
    title
    type
    size1200x800: style(filter: {style: "1200x800"}) {
      url
    }
    size540x360: style(filter: {style: "540x360"}) {
      url
    }
  }
  ... on Article {
    leadingSlides {
      url
      title
      type
      size1200x800: style(filter: {style: "1200x800"}) {
        url
      }
      size540x360: style(filter: {style: "540x360"}) {
        url
      }
    }
  }
}

fragment contentCoverImageContent_34Njms on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  headline
  images {
    url
    title
    type
    landscape250x99: style(filter: {style: "landscape_250_99"}) {
      url
    }
    size540x360: style(filter: {style: "540x360"}) {
      url
    }
  }
}

fragment contentCoverImageContent_4Kx38 on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  headline
  images {
    url
    title
    type
    size1200x800: style(filter: {style: "1200x800"}) {
      url
    }
    size540x360: style(filter: {style: "540x360"}) {
      url
    }
  }
}

fragment contentHeadlineContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  headline
  socialHeadline
  ...contentHeadlineTagContent
  ...helpersUseContentSponsorContent
}

fragment contentHeadlineTagContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...hooksContentHeadlineTagContent
}

fragment contentLiveTagContent on Article {
  ...helpersCheckHasLiveTagArticle
}

fragment contentNewsletterWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    relatedNewsletters {
      ...helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter
      id
    }
    id
  }
  sectionsV2 {
    value {
      __typename
      ... on Section {
        relatedNewsletters {
          ...helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter
          id
        }
      }
      ... on Node {
        __isNode: __typename
        id
      }
    }
  }
  ... on Article {
    relatedNewsletters {
      ...helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment contentSchemaRenderContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...blockquoteQuoteContent
  ...hooksInlinePlusWidgetContent
  ...imageContent
  ...inlineWidgetContent
  ...photoGalleryWidgetContent
  ...scmpYoutubeContent
}

fragment contentSectionsContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  sectionsV2 {
    value {
      __typename
      ... on Section {
        name
      }
      ... on VideoSection {
        name
      }
      ...helpersCheckIfNewsSectionInFirstIndexSection
      ...entityLink
      ... on Node {
        __isNode: __typename
        id
      }
    }
  }
}

fragment contentSeriesShortLabelContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ... on Article {
    seriesShortLabel
    ...entityLink
    seriesContainer {
      ...entityLink
      seriesShortLabel
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment contentShareWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  __typename
  entityId
  urlAlias
  shortUrl
  socialHeadline
  headline
  ... on Video {
    youtubeId
  }
}

fragment contentSponsorTagContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...helpersUseContentSponsorContent
}

fragment contentSubHeadlineContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  subHeadline {
    json
  }
  summary {
    json
  }
  ...contentSchemaRenderContent
}

fragment contentSummaryContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  __typename
  summary {
    text
  }
}

fragment contentTopicLinkContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    urlAlias
    ...entityLink
    ...topicLinkTopic
    id
  }
}

fragment entityFollowButtonBase on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  __typename
  ... on Section {
    entityId
    name
  }
  ... on Author {
    entityId
    name
    disableFollow
  }
  ... on Topic {
    entityId
    name
    disableFollow
  }
}

fragment entityLink on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  __typename
  entityId
  entityUuid
  urlAlias
  urlRedirect {
    toUrl
    id
  }
  application {
    entityId
    id
  }
  ... on Section {
    fullSectionPath {
      entityId
      id
    }
    parentSection
  }
  ...helpersAppBarVariantBase
  ...helpersApplicationBase
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusArticle
  ...helpersStyleSectionContent
}

fragment followButtonBase on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  ...entityFollowButtonBase
  entityId
}

fragment helpersAppBarVariantBase on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  ...helpersCheckIsLiveArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusPage
  ...helpersCheckIsPostMagazineArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsStyleArticle
  ...helpersSectionContent
  ...helpersStyleSectionContent
}

fragment helpersApplicationBase on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusPage
}

fragment helpersCheckHasLiveTagArticle on Article {
  flattenTypeIds
  liveArticle {
    status
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckHasSeriesShortLabelContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ... on Article {
    seriesShortLabel
    seriesContainer {
      seriesShortLabel
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIfNewsSectionInFirstIndexSection on SectionUnion {
  __isSectionUnion: __typename
  ... on Section {
    name
  }
  ... on VideoSection {
    name
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsLiveArticle on Article {
  flattenTypeIds
  liveArticle {
    status
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsMainTopicContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPlusArticle on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ... on Article {
    paywallTypes {
      entityUuid
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPlusPage on Page {
  urlAlias
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPostMagazineArticle on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  sectionsV2 {
    value {
      __typename
      ... on Section {
        entityId
      }
      ... on Node {
        __isNode: __typename
        id
      }
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsStyleArticle on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  sectionsV2 {
    value {
      __typename
      ... on Section {
        entityId
      }
      ... on VideoSection {
        entityId
      }
      ... on Node {
        __isNode: __typename
        id
      }
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersGetArticleTypeNameArticle on Article {
  types {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersGetContentTypeNameContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  __typename
  ... on Article {
    ...helpersGetArticleTypeNameArticle
  }
}

fragment helpersIsArticleVideoAsHeroArticle on Article {
  multimediaEmbed {
    json
  }
}

fragment helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter on Newsletter {
  entityId
  name
  alternativeName
  description {
    text
  }
  summary {
    text
  }
  homepageDescription {
    text
  }
}

fragment helpersSanitizeArticleTypeEntityIdsArticle on Article {
  types {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersSanitizeAuthorTypesArticle on Article {
  authors {
    types
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersSanitizedAuthorEntityIdsArticle on Article {
  authors {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersSectionContent on Section {
  fullSectionPath {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersStyleSectionContent on Section {
  fullSectionPath {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersUseContentSponsorContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    entityId
    sponsor {
      ...sponsorTagSponsor
      name
      type
      id
    }
    id
  }
  ... on Article {
    sponsorType
  }
  ...helpersCheckIsMainTopicContent
}

fragment homePrimaryContentItemContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  urlAlias
  ...entityLink
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusArticle
  ...helpersCheckHasLiveTagArticle
  ...helpersCheckHasSeriesShortLabelContent
  ...helpersUseContentSponsorContent
  ...hooksContentItemProvidersContent_3LgACx
}

fragment homeSecondaryContentItemContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  urlAlias
  ...entityLink
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusArticle
  ...helpersCheckHasLiveTagArticle
  ...helpersCheckHasSeriesShortLabelContent
  ...helpersUseContentSponsorContent
  ...hooksContentItemProvidersContent_1uhIyn
}

fragment hooksContentHeadlineTagContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  __typename
  ... on Article {
    types {
      value {
        name
        entityId
        description {
          text
        }
        id
      }
    }
    ...helpersCheckIsStyleArticle
  }
  flag
  sectionsV2 {
    value {
      __typename
      ... on Section {
        name
      }
      ... on VideoSection {
        name
      }
      ... on Node {
        __isNode: __typename
        id
      }
    }
  }
  ...hooksContentHelperContent
}

fragment hooksContentHelperContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...helpersSanitizeArticleTypeEntityIdsArticle
  ...helpersSanitizeAuthorTypesArticle
  ...helpersSanitizedAuthorEntityIdsArticle
  flag
}

fragment hooksContentItemProvidersContent_1uhIyn on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...contentActionBarContent
  ...contentCoverImageContent_4Kx38
  ...contentHeadlineContent
  ...contentLiveTagContent
  ...contentSectionsContent
  ...contentSubHeadlineContent
  ...contentSummaryContent
  ...contentTopicLinkContent
  ...contentSponsorTagContent
  ...contentSeriesShortLabelContent
  ... on Video {
    __typename
    ...videoDurationOverlayVideo
  }
  ... on Gallery {
    __typename
  }
}

fragment hooksContentItemProvidersContent_2gnGW2 on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...contentActionBarContent
  ...contentHeadlineContent
  ...contentLiveTagContent
  ...contentSectionsContent
  ...contentSubHeadlineContent
  ...contentSummaryContent
  ...contentTopicLinkContent
  ...contentSponsorTagContent
  ... on Video {
    __typename
    ...videoDurationOverlayVideo
  }
  ... on Gallery {
    __typename
  }
}

fragment hooksContentItemProvidersContent_3LgACx on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...contentActionBarContent
  ...contentCoverImageContent_1tYcF5
  ...contentHeadlineContent
  ...contentLiveTagContent
  ...contentSectionsContent
  ...contentSummaryContent
  ...contentTopicLinkContent
  ...contentSponsorTagContent
  ...contentSeriesShortLabelContent
  ... on Video {
    __typename
    ...videoDurationOverlayVideo
  }
  ... on Gallery {
    __typename
  }
}

fragment hooksInlinePlusWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment hooksTopic on Topic {
  types
  sponsor {
    __typename
    id
  }
}

fragment hooksTopicWidgetQuery_49mQWb on Query {
  topic(filter: {entityId: $entityId}) {
    entityId
    ...hooksTopic
    ...topicAdsTopic
    ...topicMetadataDisplayTopic
    id
  }
  appConfig(filter: {entityId: "scmp_pwa_settings"}) {
    json
  }
  advertConfig: appConfig(filter: {entityId: "scmp_pwa_advert_campaign"}) {
    json
  }
}

fragment hooksUseDeepLinkTagsBase on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  __typename
  urlAlias
  entityId
}

fragment hooksUseDynamicMetaTags on DynamicMetaTags {
  __isDynamicMetaTags: __typename
  metatags {
    key
    value
  }
}

fragment imageContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  headline
  ...checkersCheckContentContainsStarlingImageContent
}

fragment inlineWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...contentNewsletterWidgetContent
}

fragment photoGalleryDialogContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  __typename
  ...contentShareWidgetContent
}

fragment photoGalleryWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...photoGalleryDialogContent
}

fragment scmpYoutubeContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  urlAlias
  publishedDate
}

fragment sectionTopLeadPrimaryContentItemContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  urlAlias
  topics {
    ...followButtonBase
    id
  }
  ...entityLink
  ...contentCoverImageContent_34Njms
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusArticle
  ...helpersCheckHasLiveTagArticle
  ...helpersUseContentSponsorContent
  ...hooksContentItemProvidersContent_2gnGW2
}

fragment sponsorTagSponsor on Sponsor {
  name
  type
  images {
    url
  }
}

fragment topStoriesItemContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...homePrimaryContentItemContent
  ...homeSecondaryContentItemContent
  ...helpersUseContentSponsorContent
}

fragment topicAdsTopic on Topic {
  entityId
  advertZone(version: 2)
}

fragment topicDescriptionTopic on Topic {
  ...topicHeaderRelatedLinksTopic
  ...entityFollowButtonBase
  ...hooksTopic
  ...topicMetadataDisplayTopic
  extraMetadata {
    __typename
  }
  ...entityLink
  mobileImage: image(type: MOBILE_APP_IMAGE) {
    style(filter: {style: "300x300"}) {
      url
    }
  }
  name
  description {
    text
  }
  chineseName
  sponsor {
    __typename
    id
  }
}

fragment topicHeaderRelatedLinksTopic on Topic {
  ...hooksTopic
  relatedLink {
    title
    url
  }
  relatedTopics {
    name
    urlAlias
    id
  }
}

fragment topicHeaderTopic on Topic {
  ...topicHeaderRelatedLinksTopic
  ...entityFollowButtonBase
  ...hooksTopic
  ...entityLink
  mobileImage: image(type: MOBILE_APP_IMAGE) {
    style(filter: {style: "300x300"}) {
      url
    }
  }
  name
  chineseName
  sponsor {
    ...sponsorTagSponsor
    id
  }
}

fragment topicLinkTopic on Topic {
  ...entityLink
  name
  shortName
}

fragment topicMetadataDisplayTopic on Topic {
  ...hooksTopic
  extraMetadata {
    key
    value
    topic {
      name
      ...entityLink
      types
      urlAlias
      mobileImage: image(type: MOBILE_APP_IMAGE) {
        style(filter: {style: "300x300"}) {
          url
        }
      }
      id
    }
  }
  additionalMetadata {
    propertyType
    logo {
      title
      url
    }
    properties {
      key
      value
    }
  }
}

fragment topicRestContentsTopic on Topic {
  entityId
  advertZone(version: 2)
}

fragment topicSeoTopic on Topic {
  name
  description {
    text
  }
  entityId
  urlAlias
  metaDescription
  image(type: OG) {
    url
  }
  ...hooksUseDeepLinkTagsBase
  ...hooksUseDynamicMetaTags
}

fragment topicTopContentsTopic on Topic {
  entityId
  advertZone(version: 2)
}

fragment topicTopicPageTopic_1RYlfy on Topic {
  contents(after: $after, first: $count, filter: {applicationIds: [$applicationId]}, orderBy: {field: PUBLISHED_DATE, direction: DESC}) {
    edges {
      node {
        __typename
        __isContent: __typename
        entityUuid
        ...homeSecondaryContentItemContent
        ...sectionTopLeadPrimaryContentItemContent
        ...topStoriesItemContent
        id
      }
      cursor
    }
    pageInfo {
      endCursor
      hasNextPage
    }
  }
  id
}

fragment videoDurationOverlayVideo on Video {
  duration
  sectionsV2 {
    value {
      __typename
      ... on VideoSection {
        entityId
      }
      ... on Node {
        __isNode: __typename
        id
      }
    }
  }
}


types

extraMetadata

additionalMetadata

relatedLink

relatedTopics

image

description

chineseName

metaDescription

json

Hong Kong

Asia

People and Culture

Health & Environment

This Week in Asia

Economy

Tech

China

World

Business

Lifestyle

Sport

Building Smarter Human Experiences

Yiyin Zhao, Managing Director of Samsung Electronics Hong Kong, champions a “human-centred” approach to innovation by integrating global technological scale with hyper-local insights.


40,000 taxi drivers sign up for e-payment systems as new rules come into force

Widespread coverage is good news ahead of coming holiday for mainland visitors who have solely been using e-wallets for years.


Some Hong Kong taxi drivers unprepared as new e-payments rule takes effect

Lawmaker Mark Chong says more support should be given to help cabbies with digital transition.


Over 47,000 cabbies adopt Octopus, card readers ahead of e-payment deadline

New measures require taxi drivers to provide at least two e-payment options, as part of broader government push to modernise industry image.


E-payments to attract more riders, cut fare disputes: Hong Kong taxi industry

Representative says industry ready for April 1 requirement, with about 90 per cent of taxi drivers already registered with e-payment platforms.


‘Keep the change’ no more: Hong Kong taxi drivers prepare for shift to e-payments

City’s cabbies required to provide at least two e-payment options by April 1, as part of industry effort to improve service quality.


Silver surfers: how China ‘granfluencers’ steal spotlight, taking over social media

Some firms managing granfluencers exploit young people’s compassion by scheduling late-night live-streams for seniors to encourage tipping.


Architect of Hong Kong’s Octopus card retires with dreams of ‘tap-free’ technology

Chief operations officer Sammy Kam and marketing director Rita Li look back on the highs and lows of their careers in a cutting-edge company.


Octopus’ Japan deal can be a springboard for further innovation

More benefits await if the company can keep up the momentum with strategies that capitalise on its international reputation.


AlipayHK extends fee waivers for Hong Kong cabbies amid e-payment reluctance

Measures implemented to promote digital payments as the city aims to boost use of system and modernise the taxi industry.


Hong Kong cabbies call for subsidies and grace period to meet new regulations

All cabbies will also be required to install journey recorders, which will be connected to Transport Department’s information system, by early 2027.


The latest news and top stories on Octopus. A Hong Kong-based entity in the Financial Technology (FinTech) sector, Octopus specialises in its stored-value smart card system. It primarily serves Hong Kong residents and businesses and is known for its near-ubiquitous adoption, with 98 per cent penetration among residents aged 15-64.


Octopus

Octopus

Building Smarter Human Experiences

Yiyin Zhao, Managing Director of Samsung Electronics Hong Kong, champions a “human-centred” approach to innovation by integrating global technological scale with hyper-local insights.

40,000 taxi drivers sign up for e-payment systems as new rules come into force

Some Hong Kong taxi drivers unprepared as new e-payments rule takes effect

Over 47,000 cabbies adopt Octopus, card readers ahead of e-payment deadline

New measures require taxi drivers to provide at least two e-payment options, as part of broader government push to modernise industry image.

E-payments to attract more riders, cut fare disputes: Hong Kong taxi industry

Representative says industry ready for April 1 requirement, with about 90 per cent of taxi drivers already registered with e-payment platforms.

‘Keep the change’ no more: Hong Kong taxi drivers prepare for shift to e-payments

City’s cabbies required to provide at least two e-payment options by April 1, as part of industry effort to improve service quality.

Silver surfers: how China ‘granfluencers’ steal spotlight, taking over social media

Some firms managing granfluencers exploit young people’s compassion by scheduling late-night live-streams for seniors to encourage tipping.

Architect of Hong Kong’s Octopus card retires with dreams of ‘tap-free’ access

Chief operations officer Sammy Kam and marketing director Rita Li look back on the highs and lows of their careers in a cutting-edge company.

Editorial | Octopus’ Japan deal can be a springboard for further innovation

More benefits await if the company can keep up the momentum with strategies that capitalise on its international reputation.

AlipayHK extends fee waivers for Hong Kong cabbies amid e-payment reluctance

Measures implemented to promote digital payments as the city aims to boost use of system and modernise the taxi industry.

Hong Kong cabbies call for subsidies and grace period to meet new regulations

All cabbies will also be required to install journey recorders, which will be connected to Transport Department’s information system, by early 2027.

Octopus

.css-12ooj4n{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;}Building Smarter Human Experiences

Yiyin Zhao, Managing Director of Samsung Electronics Hong Kong, champions a “human-centred” approach to innovation by integrating global technological scale with hyper-local insights.

40,000 taxi drivers sign up for e-payment systems as new rules come into force

Some Hong Kong taxi drivers unprepared as new e-payments rule takes effect

Over 47,000 cabbies adopt Octopus, card readers ahead of e-payment deadline

New measures require taxi drivers to provide at least two e-payment options, as part of broader government push to modernise industry image.

E-payments to attract more riders, cut fare disputes: Hong Kong taxi industry

Representative says industry ready for April 1 requirement, with about 90 per cent of taxi drivers already registered with e-payment platforms.

‘Keep the change’ no more: Hong Kong taxi drivers prepare for shift to e-payments

City’s cabbies required to provide at least two e-payment options by April 1, as part of industry effort to improve service quality.

Silver surfers: how China ‘granfluencers’ steal spotlight, taking over social media

Some firms managing granfluencers exploit young people’s compassion by scheduling late-night live-streams for seniors to encourage tipping.

Architect of Hong Kong’s Octopus card retires with dreams of ‘tap-free’ access

Chief operations officer Sammy Kam and marketing director Rita Li look back on the highs and lows of their careers in a cutting-edge company.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Editorial | Octopus’ Japan deal can be a springboard for further innovation

More benefits await if the company can keep up the momentum with strategies that capitalise on its international reputation.

AlipayHK extends fee waivers for Hong Kong cabbies amid e-payment reluctance

Measures implemented to promote digital payments as the city aims to boost use of system and modernise the taxi industry.

Hong Kong cabbies call for subsidies and grace period to meet new regulations

All cabbies will also be required to install journey recorders, which will be connected to Transport Department’s information system, by early 2027.

Building Smarter Human Experiences

Editorial | Octopus’ Japan deal can be a springboard for further innovation