In a major step toward cross-border digital payments, NTT DATA, a global leader in digital and technology services, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), the international arm of India’s National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
The partnership aims to enable Unified Payments Interface (UPI) acceptance across merchants in Japan, marking the real-time payment system’s first foray into East Asia. This initiative is designed to support inbound tourism from India while accelerating Japan’s transition toward a cashless economy.
Expanding India’s Fintech Footprint Abroad
Launched in 2016, UPI has become a cornerstone of India’s digital payments revolution allowing secure, instant, and interoperable transactions between bank accounts via mobile apps.
In September 2025 alone, UPI processed nearly 20 billion transactions worth over $280 billion, underscoring its scale and adoption.
Through this collaboration, Indian tourists visiting Japan will soon be able to pay seamlessly at local merchants using familiar UPI-enabled apps, offering convenience and reducing dependency on cash or international cards.
Executive Insights
“This collaboration marks an important milestone as we expand payment choices for inbound travelers from India,” said Masanori Kurihara, Head of Payments Services Sector at NTT DATA. “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.”
“The MoU with NTT DATA lays the foundation for enabling UPI acceptance in Japan,” added Ritesh Shukla, MD & CEO of NIPL. “It reflects our ambition to take UPI to more international markets and establish it as one of the most trusted digital payment systems globally.”
A Boost for Japan’s Cashless Vision
Japan has long been working to increase its cashless transaction ratio, a key policy goal for its digital economy. With growing numbers of Indian travelers drawn by tourism, business, and education the introduction of UPI acceptance is expected to enhance merchant competitiveness and enrich consumer payment experiences
Under the agreement, NTT DATA and NIPL will jointly assess opportunities for UPI enablement across Japan’s merchant ecosystem, examining integration models that benefit both businesses and consumers.
The move strengthens UPI’s expanding global presence, following its earlier rollouts in Singapore, UAE, France, and Sri Lanka, and positions India’s digital payment infrastructure as a global standard in cross-border financial innovation.
Also Read: The Great UPI Battle: How New Entrants Are Redefining India’s Digital Payments
