In a major boost for digital cross-border payments, NPCI International Payments Ltd., the international arm of NPCI, has signed an MoU with NTT DATA Japan on October 7, 2025. The collaboration aims to enable Indian tourists to make UPI payments across Japan, marking another milestone in UPI’s global expansion journey.
How It Will Work
Under the partnership, NTT DATA’s network of Japanese merchants will soon start accepting UPI-based transactions. This means Indian travellers can scan QR codes using their existing UPI apps to pay directly in rupees, without needing cash, credit cards, or forex cards.
“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 at NTT DATA.
Expanding UPI’s Global Footprint
Launched in 2016, UPI has transformed India’s digital payment ecosystem, fostering seamless, real-time transactions. According to NPCI data, India processed over 19.63 billion UPI transactions worth ₹24.9 trillion in September 2025, reflecting a 31% year-on-year surge.
The integration of UPI in Japan follows its growing presence in countries like Singapore, UAE, Mauritius, Nepal, and France, positioning India’s payment infrastructure as a global benchmark.
RuPay’s Parallel Push with JCB
In a complementary move, NPCI’s RuPay network has partnered with Japan’s JCB International, offering RuPay JCB cardholders 25% cashback on POS transactions in Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines until December 31, 2025.
“RuPay’s partnership with JCB continues to create meaningful value for our cardholders, ensuring greater savings and convenience abroad,” said Kunal Kalawatia, NPCI’s Chief of Products and Marketing.
A Step Toward Cashless Global Travel
UPI’s acceptance in Japan is set to make travel more seamless for Indian tourists while opening fresh opportunities for Japanese merchants. The initiative symbolizes India’s growing influence in the global fintech ecosystem—turning UPI into a truly international payment solution.
