UPI Trial Launch Begins in Japan
I ndia’s homegrown Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is taking another significant step onto the global stage. Following a partnership agreement in October 2025, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and Japanese firm NTT DATA are set for a trial launch of UPI in Japan. This move promises to transform the travel experience for Indian visitors, allowing them to make seamless payments at local shops and restaurants using their smartphones. For the over 315,100 Indian visitors Japan welcomed last year, this development is a game-changer. It means less time fumbling with currency exchange and more time enjoying the sights and sounds of Japan, all thanks to a familiar payment system in their pocket. Building on a Record of Success UPI enters the Japanese market riding a massive wave of success. In 2025 alone, the platform processed a record 228 billion transactions within India, cementing its position as one of the world’s most robust real-time payment systems. Its expansion into Ja…
