Indian tourists in Japan will soon be able to pay using UPI, following a landmark MoU between NTT Data and NPCI International Payments Limited. The move marks UPI’s entry into East Asia and aligns with Japan’s drive toward a cashless economy.
UPI is currently available in Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Mauritius, and France.
NTT Data has signed an MoU with NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) to enable Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions for Indian travelers in Japan. The partnership allows tourists to pay at merchant outlets managed by NTT Data by scanning QR codes with their usual UPI apps,an experience as familiar as home.
“By initiating the partnership for UPI acceptance in Japan, we aim to make shopping and payments more convenient for Indian tourists while helping Japanese merchants capture new opportunities,” said Masanori Kurihara, Head of Payments Services Sector at NTT Data.
The agreement is part of NIPL’s plan to expand India’s homegrown real-time payment system into new international markets, one where cross-border accessibility now meets everyday ease.
Expanding UPI’s Global Reach
For NIPL, the collaboration underscores an ambition that extends beyond India’s borders. “The MoU with NTT Data lays the foundation for enabling UPI acceptance in Japan. It also reflects our goal of establishing UPI as one of the most trusted digital payment systems globally,” said Ritesh Shukla, MD & CEO of NIPL.
Japan now joins a growing roster of UPI-enabled nations that includes Singapore, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, UAE, Qatar, Mauritius, and France. Each new partnership broadens the circle of digital compatibility, creating a smoother path for travelers and merchants alike.
Riding on the Wave of Indian Tourism
The agreement comes as travel from India to Japan continues to rise. Between January and August 2025, over 208,000 Indians traveled to Japan, a 36% rise compared to the same period last year. NTT Data, operator of Japan’s largest card payment processing network, CAFIS, is planning to integrate UPI into its existing merchant services, a move viewed as part of Japan’s broader pursuit of a digitally driven society where reliance on cash continues to diminish.
“With Indian tourism to Japan on the rise, this initiative will not only diversify payment options but also strengthen Japan’s cashless strategy,” NTT Data noted in its statement.
Building Bridges Through Tech
With over 500 million users in India already, UPI’s entry into Japan represents more than technical expansion, it signals how digital systems can bridge borders. The collaboration between NPCI and NTT Data places both nations on a shared financial network.
AloJapan.com