At the Singapore FinTech Festival 2024, Japan’s leading QR payment provider, PayPay, has announced an expanded collaboration with Alipay+, a cross-border mobile payment and digitalization solution by Ant International. This partnership extends PayPay’s merchant network across Japan, now connecting over 3 million local merchants to Alipay+’s global ecosystem. This move aims to offer a more seamless and secure payment experience for international travelers, allowing them to use their preferred digital wallets while shopping in Japan.
Through this enhanced collaboration, travelers using Alipay+ partner wallets can make payments by scanning PayPay QR codes at various merchant locations throughout Japan, even if the merchant hasn’t yet displayed Alipay+ signage. Special holiday promotions are also planned for the upcoming Christmas and New Year seasons, running from December 20, 2024, to January 10, 2025. During this campaign, users of Alipay+, AlipayHK, GCash, Kakao Pay, Toss Pay, Touch ‘n Go eWallet, TrueMoney, and Tinaba will receive exclusive discounts, with offers of up to 10% off or cashback based on their region.
Alipay+ currently collaborates with 16 payment apps in Japan, including Alipay (Chinese mainland), AlipayHK (Hong Kong SAR China), MPay (Macao SAR China), Kakao Pay, Naver Pay, Toss, OCBC Digital, Changi Pay, EZ-Link, Touch ‘n Go eWallet, MyPB by Public Bank Berhad, GCash, HelloMoney, TrueMoney, Hipay (Mongolia), and Tinaba (Italy). This partnership network is part of an effort to support tourists who are increasingly exploring less-traveled regions across Japan, in addition to popular destinations like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto.
As global tourism in Japan grows, Alipay+ is responding to a rising preference for localized and seamless payment options. By including a wider range of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in its network, Alipay+ facilitates unique travel experiences for visitors, helping them enjoy the country’s regional cultures and specialties. In 2024 alone, the number of travelers using their home payment apps via Alipay+ in Japan has nearly doubled, and transaction volume tripled compared to the previous year, with dining and entertainment leading as top categories.
Alipay+ connects millions of merchants, including SMEs, across Japan through its partnership with PayPay, covering everything from street vendors and anime shops to guesthouses near Mount Fuji. This integration simplifies payments for travelers and helps local businesses tap into the growing tourism market, bolstering regional economies. Alipay+ also collaborates with over 20 brands on consumer campaigns, providing discounts at around 300,000 locations nationwide, including airports, department stores, and convenience stores.
Alipay+ has expanded its global reach to connect 90 million merchants in 66 countries, serving 1.6 billion users through 35 mobile payment partners. It also collaborates with national QR schemes in countries like Singapore (SGQR), Malaysia (PayNet), South Korea (ZeroPay), Sri Lanka (LankaPay), and Cambodia (KHQR) to support inclusive economic growth for SMEs.
Masayoshi Yanase, Head of Finance Business Strategy at PayPay, stated, “PayPay is committed to creating a seamless, connected payment network to empower local businesses to serve international travelers better.” Douglas Feagin, President of Ant International, added, “QR code payments are revolutionizing travel by providing international tourists with the convenience of paying in Japan using their familiar home wallets. This collaboration with PayPay opens up the global tourism market by making payments easy and inclusive.”
