NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL), the international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has signed an agreement with NTT DATA Japan to enable Unified Payments Interface (UPI) acceptance across Japan.

Under the partnership, Indian tourists visiting Japan will be able to make seamless QR code-based payments at merchant locations acquired by NTT DATA, using their existing UPI applications.

In a statement, NPCI said the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishes the foundation for a strategic alliance, marking a significant step towards expanding UPI’s global reach and enhancing payment convenience for Indian travellers in Japan.

NTT DATA Japan, a major player in the country’s payments ecosystem, operates CAFIS®, Japan’s largest card payment processing network. The collaboration will see NIPL and NTT DATA work together to facilitate UPI acceptance across all NTT DATA-acquired merchant locations nationwide.

Between January and August 2025, more than 208,000 Indian visitors travelled to Japan - a 36 per cent increase compared to the same period last year - signalling rising demand for cross-border payment solutions.

Ritesh Shukla, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NIPL, said the partnership lays a strong foundation for UPI’s acceptance in Japan. He added that it represents an important step towards simplifying digital payments and enhancing the travel experience for Indian tourists abroad.