Contactless IC card ticket with credit card functions

• JR East will launch "Suica" with credit card functions (in Japanese), NIKKEI NET 6/9/02.
  (http://www.nikkei.co.jp/news/main/20020906AT1DI01A5060920...)

Next year will see the launch of JR East's "Suica" with credit card functions, NIKKEI NET reports. Pre-paid "Suica" (the simple one, which is more popular) comes first, while for "Suica" with commuting (monthly) pass functionality the launch will delay because of the complications related to surface printing regulations. Currently, the commuting pass type of "Suica" IC cards have many limitations, which made it relatively unpopular although many efforts had been put to develop the system. Then, I think it can be a good chance to phase out the commuting pass by giving a good discount to the normal pre-paid "Suica" services. So, what's next?