IC cards stopping vs travel money card

Hey! Soo i couldn't find a definite answer on the internet.
Since IC cards are being stopped due to chip shortages. Are they necessary? I will be getting a 7day JR Pass and will be bringing a commbank travel money card + cash. Will the travel card be sufficient instead of worrying about a IC card? Everyone i got advice from said get an IC card. But now there's been a halt on them.

In europe i survived very easily with vash and a travel card.

No, they are not necessary. It is still possible to buy paper tickets, as well. But they are very useful not only to pay transportation fares, but also to make payments at stores and retsurants across the country.

Note also thet only Suica and Pasmo are currently not sold, i.e. the ones sold in Tokyo. All other IC cards are still on sale. Also, the Welcome Suica and Pasmo Passport cards are still on sale. And if you own an Iphone and a non-VISA credit card, you can also use Apple Pay to use Suica, Pasmo or Icoca.