To improve payment convenience for a rising number of Indian travelers, Japan is preparing to test India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI). The initiative is aimed at letting Indian visitors use familiar QR-based payment methods linked directly to their bank accounts while travelling in Japan.
The plan is designed to support Indian tourists by enabling them to pay through mobile apps they already use at home. UPI allows instant bank-to-bank transfers and is usually free for users. A major strength of the system is interoperability, which lets any UPI-enabled app scan a single QR code for payments. This feature has helped UPI grow into one of the world’s largest real-time digital payment networks.
A Japanese IT services company, NTT Data, is working with the National Payments Corporation of India to introduce UPI payments in Japan on a trial basis during the 2026 financial year, according to a media report. The partnership is studying ways to connect Indian and Japanese payment systems for smooth cross-border use.
Once the trial is in place, Indian tourists in Japan will be able to make purchases using UPI, with the transaction amount directly deducted from their Indian bank accounts. This approach is expected to reduce the need for cash exchange and card payments, while offering a familiar and easy option for Indian visitors.
The move reflects Japan’s effort to adapt its payment infrastructure to the needs of international tourists, especially from India. By supporting QR-based digital payments already popular with Indian users, the country aims to create a more seamless travel and spending experience.
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