UPI to Launch in Japan Soon: NPCI–NTT DATA Deal

Indian travelers visiting Japan will soon be able to use the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) for everyday transactions, following a major agreement between NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL) and NTT DATA Japan. This move aims to provide a seamless, QR-based digital payment experience for Indian tourists, expanding the global footprint of India’s most trusted real-time payment system.

UPI in Japan: What the Deal Involves

• Under the new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), NIPL and NTT DATA will integrate UPI payments into merchant outlets across Japan.
• Indian users will be able to scan QR codes using their UPI apps and pay instantly in INR, eliminating the need for currency conversion or foreign cards.
• NTT DATA is a key player in Japan’s payments ecosystem, operating CAFIS, the country’s largest card transaction processing network, which connects merchants, banks, and ATMs nationwide.
• This collaboration marks a strategic step to make UPI a globally accepted payment platform, offering Indian tourists a more familiar, cashless, and secure experience abroad.

Where Else Is UPI Accepted Globally?

As of now, Indian UPI users can make payments at selected merchant outlets in the following countries,

• Bhutan
• France
• Mauritius
• Nepal
• Singapore
• Sri Lanka
• United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Each of these countries has integrated UPI with their domestic systems to allow Indian visitors to pay using their regular UPI apps like PhonePe, Google Pay, or Paytm.

In some countries, UPI integration is in advanced planning or limited rollout stages—such as Qatar, Oman, and the UK—but these are not yet fully operational at all merchant locations.

Why It Matters: Global Expansion of UPI

• Boosts Travel Convenience: Indian tourists no longer need to worry about currency exchange hassles or using foreign credit cards in partner countries.
• Digital Payment Diplomacy: The UPI expansion showcases India’s technological strength in fintech and supports its soft power diplomacy.
• Enhances Financial Inclusion Globally: By offering an alternative to expensive remittance or card-based systems, UPI can support cheaper and more inclusive cross-border payments.
• Supports Indian Economy: A widely accepted UPI system helps Indian travelers, students, and businesses transact globally, supporting trade, tourism, and education links.

Important Static Takeaways

• UPI (Unified Payments Interface) launched in 2016 by NPCI
• NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL) is the global arm promoting UPI overseas
• Japan to soon support UPI payments via MoU with NTT DATA
• NTT DATA operates CAFIS, Japan’s largest card processing network