India-Japan Collaboration: UPI to Revolutionize Payments for Tourists

The National Payments Corporation of India's international branch has partnered with NTT DATA Japan to introduce UPI payments for Indian tourists in Japan. This move aims to streamline transactions and enhance the travel experience as Indian visitor numbers continue to rise, marking a significant step in globalizing India's digital payment method.

Indian travellers could soon enjoy a seamless payment experience in Japan through the Unified Payment Interface (UPI), following a landmark partnership between the National Payments Corporation of India's international arm and NTT DATA Japan. The significant agreement, signed on Tuesday, sets the stage for UPI acceptance across Japan, thereby enhancing the payment experience for Indian tourists.

NTT DATA Japan, a key player in the country's payments sector, runs CAFIS, the largest card payment network in Japan. This strategic collaboration will enable NTT DATA Japan to integrate UPI into its network, potentially revolutionizing checkout processes for merchants and customers alike.

Indian visitors to Japan, whose numbers surged 36 percent from 2024 to 2025, exemplify the growing importance of this financial corridor. With UPI implementation, tourists will benefit from efficient payments using QR codes on their UPI apps, streamlining transactions and opening up new avenues for Japanese businesses.

(With inputs from agencies.)