In a significant move toward expanding India’s digital payments footprint, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is set to launch in Japan following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and NTT DATA, one of Japan’s leading IT service providers. This collaboration will enable Indian tourists in Japan to make payments by simply scanning QR codes at supported merchant locations, offering them a familiar, secure, and convenient payment experience abroad.
UPI’s Global Expansion Takes a Big Leap
The partnership marks a key milestone in the global expansion of India’s UPI, developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). With this new initiative, Japan joins the growing list of countries accepting UPI, including Bhutan, France, Mauritius, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, the UAE, and Qatar. The goal is to create a seamless cross-border payment ecosystem that allows Indian travelers to use UPI abroad just as they do in India — with instant transactions, low fees, and no need for foreign exchange hassles.
NTT DATA operates CAFIS, Japan’s largest and oldest payment network, which connects thousands of merchants and financial institutions across the country. By integrating UPI into the CAFIS system, Indian travelers visiting Japan for tourism, education, or business will soon be able to pay directly from their UPI-linked Indian bank accounts, eliminating the need to carry cash or use international cards.
Enhancing Digital Payment Convenience for Indian Tourists
The introduction of UPI payments in Japan will significantly enhance the travel experience for Indian tourists, who will now have access to instant, QR-based transactions at local shops, restaurants, and service centers. This step not only promotes digital inclusion and financial interoperability but also strengthens India–Japan economic and technological collaboration.
With millions of Indians traveling abroad annually, the integration of UPI in international markets aligns with India’s vision of becoming a global leader in digital payments. This initiative also supports Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Digital India” mission, which seeks to make Indian fintech innovations available worldwide.
Strengthening India–Japan Fintech Ties
The MoU between NPCI International and NTT DATA goes beyond enabling transactions — it symbolizes a deeper fintech partnership between India and Japan. Both countries are committed to advancing financial technology innovation, improving payment security, and promoting cashless societies.
For Japan, which has traditionally been a cash-dependent economy, this collaboration could accelerate the adoption of digital payment solutions and enhance payment convenience for global visitors. For India, it’s a major stride in exporting one of its most successful fintech innovations to the international stage.
A Global Future for UPI
With ongoing discussions between NIPL and international partners, UPI is rapidly becoming a global payment standard, bridging the gap between countries and simplifying cross-border transactions. As more nations adopt this system, UPI is poised to become a universal digital payment framework that empowers users, supports merchants, and strengthens international financial connectivity.
