PayPay & Alipay+ boost eWallet payment options for Merchants across Japan

By Gloria Mathias

PayPay, Japan’s QR payment operator, announced an expanded partnership with Alipay+, Ant International’s cross-border mobile payment and digitalisation technology solution, at the SFF 2024. This partnership will broaden PayPay’s merchant coverage network across Japan.

By working with local partners, including PayPal, Alipay+ will now connect over 3 million local merchants to the global payment ecosystem. This will enable local businesses and payment partners to provide international visitors with seamless and secure payment and travel experiences with their preferred domestic e-wallets.

Through this expanded partnership, travellers using Alipay+ payment partner apps will be able to scan PayPay QR codes to make payments at a wide range of merchant-presented mode (MPM) stores across Japan, even if the merchants have not yet displayed Alipay+ point-of-sale materials.

Users of participating payment partners, including Alipay, AlipayHK, GCash, Kakao Pay, Toss Pay, Touch ‘n Go eWallet, and TrueMoney, will be offered an exclusive 10% discount (up to a maximum of JPY 1,000, CNY 50).

Alipay+’s current partner payment app network in Japan includes 16 eWallets and bank apps, such as Alipay (Chinese mainland), AlipayHK (Hong Kong SAR China), MPay (Macao SAR China), South Korea’s Kakao Pay, Naver Pay, and Toss, Singapore’s OCBC Digital, Changi Pay and EZ-Link, Malaysia’s Touch ‘n Go eWallet and MyPB by Public Bank Berhad, the Philippines’ GCash and HelloMoney, TrueMoney (Thailand), Hipay (Mongolia), and Tinaba (Italy).

Masayoshi Yanase, Corporate Officer and division Head of the Finance Business Strategy Division at PayPay Corporation, said, “PayPay is committed to building a connected, seamless payment ecosystem that empowers local businesses to connect with international travellers. 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 centres to emerging regional destinations.”

Douglas Feagin, President of Ant International, shared, “The simplicity of QR code payment is proving to be a game changer for the future of travel. 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 travellers to pay with their home wallets when they see a PayPay QR code will open up the payment borders for the global tourism marketplace.”