UPI: Good news for UPI users. If you’re planning a trip to Japan, you no longer have to deal with the hassle of cash or cards. The good news for Indian travelers is that digital payments will soon be available in Japan through the Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
Agreement between NPCI and NTT DATA
NPCI International Payments Limited, a subsidiary of NPCI, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Japanese unit of NTT DATA on October 7, 2025. Under this agreement, Japanese merchants will now be able to accept payments through Indian UPI apps. This means that when Indian tourists visit Japan , they will be able to make payments directly by scanning a QR code on their mobile, just like they do in India.
This partnership between NPCI and NTT DATA aims to promote digital transactions in Japan so that travelers do not need to carry cash or foreign cards. Masanori Kurihara, Head of Payments at NTT DATA, said, “This partnership will make shopping and payments easier for Indian tourists, while also providing Japanese merchants with new customers.”
UPI’s growing international influence
UPI was launched in India in 2016. Within a few years, it transformed the digital payments landscape in the country. According to NPCI data for September 2025, there were 19.63 billion transactions in India, totaling Rs 24.9 trillion in value. According to a report, UPI transactions grew by 31% by August 2025. The report also stated that the total value of UPI transactions reached Rs 24.85 lakh crore.