THE expanded partnership between Japanese e-payment service PayPay and Alipay+, announced on Nov. 6, 2024, at the recently concluded Singapore FinTech Festival 2024, marked a significant milestone in enhancing the mobile payment landscape for tourists in Japan.
“PayPay is committed to building a connected, seamless payment ecosystem that empowers local businesses to connect with international travelers,” said Masayoshi Yanase, corporate officer division head, Finance Business Strategy Division at PayPay Corp. “Through convenient and secure payment solutions, we enhance the travel experience for global tourists. Together with Alipay+, we aim to contribute to economic growth across Japan by supporting digital transactions for businesses of all sizes, from bustling city centers to emerging regional destinations.”
With the increased merchant network, Alipay+, a unified digital payment solution combining cross-border mobile payments and digital marketing solutions from tech giant Ant Group, will connect over 3 million Japanese merchants to its global payment network, enabling international visitors to use their local e-wallets seamlessly across Japan. This collaboration with PayPay broadens access, especially for small and medium businesses (SMEs), to the global economy.
Travelers with Alipay partner e-wallets such as GCash among others can now use their apps to scan PayPay QR codes at participating stores across Japan providing a seamless payment experience. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Travelers with Alipay+ partner e-wallets such as GCash, Alipay, AlipayHK, Kakao Pay, Toss Pay, Touch ‘n Go eWallet, and TrueMoney can now use their apps to scan PayPay QR codes at participating stores across Japan, even if Alipay+ signage is not present, thus providing a seamless payment experience.
With a growing trend in “in-depth tourism,” many travelers seek to explore less-frequented regions beyond Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto. Alipay+’s expanded network of local merchants supports this trend, giving tourists access to more unique travel experiences and diverse spending options, such as food, beverages and entertainment.
Through this partnership, local merchants, especially SMEs, benefit from increased exposure to global tourists. By simplifying cross-border payments, Alipay+ helps SMEs attract more customers and supports regional economic growth.
“The simplicity of QR code payment is proving to be a game changer for the future of travel,” said Douglas Feagin, president of Ant International. “Together with our partners like PayPay, we are powering inclusive economic growth by connecting the vibrant supply chain of Japan’s nationwide merchants to the growing demand of international consumers for hyper-local experiences via the global payment ecosystem with Alipay+. Enabling travelers to pay with their home wallets when they see a PayPay QR code will open up the payment borders for the global tourism marketplace.”
Alipay+ now connects 90 million merchants in 66 countries and regions to 1.6 billion consumer accounts through 35 mobile payment partners. Its partnerships with national QR code payment systems, like Singapore’s SGQR and Malaysia’s PayNet, further enable local businesses to tap into a broader market.
This initiative not only aligns with Japan’s tourism goals but also caters to the global shift toward digital and cashless transactions, supporting international tourists’ desire for convenience and security while traveling.
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