UPI to Debut in Japan: India's Digital Payment Network Expands Global Footprint

• India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is set to launch in Japan on a trial basis in fiscal 2026, expanding its global reach.
• NTT Data, a Japanese IT services firm, is partnering with NPCI to enable UPI acceptance, initially for Indian tourists.
• The collaboration aims to connect Japanese and Indian payment networks, facilitating cross-border digital payment integration.
• UPI payments in Japan will be debited directly from Indian bank accounts, offering convenience to travelers.
• Japan will be the ninth country to adopt UPI, which is already operational in Bhutan, Singapore, Nepal, UAE, Sri Lanka, Qatar, Mauritius, and France.

Why It Matters: UPI is expanding its global presence by launching in Japan, enhancing convenience for Indian travelers.