Ant International announces that it is integrating its Alipay+ service with two million merchants in Japan, aiming to address the payment challenges international visitors face.

This development seeks to provide a more inclusive payment ecosystem, enabling visitors to use their preferred e-wallets from their home countries effortlessly.

Data from the first three weeks of March show a 200 percent increase in transaction volume through Alipay+ compared to the same period in 2023, as stated by Douglas Feagin, President of Ant International. This surge underscores an emerging trend toward digital payment preferences among international visitors in Japan.

Alipay+ is compatible with 16 e-wallets and bank apps, which are Alipay, AlipayHK,  MPay (Macao SAR China), Naver Pay and Toss, South Korea’s Kakao Pay, 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).

“By working with these partners, Alipay+ provides global tourists with a seamless digital payment experience that is the same as in their own markets. Without any extra efforts, tourists can make purchases by simply scanning the QR code at merchants of all size, without worrying about foreign currency exchange or any language barriers,”

said Douglas.

The service’s expansion in Japan is made possible through partnerships with over 40 local acquiring partners, encompassing both large and small businesses. These partnerships aim to offer international tourists a payment experience akin to what they are accustomed to in their home countries, focusing on ease and efficiency.

Areas such as Asakusa, a neighbourhood known for its traditional marketplaces, have seen a positive shift towards cashless transactions, indicative of the broader acceptance and success of digital payment solutions like Alipay+ among merchants and visitors.

Similarly, flagship department stores like Daimaru Matsuzakaya have reported a significant increase in transactions through Alipay+ partner e-wallets and bank apps, underscoring the shift towards digital payments.

Featured image credit: Edited from Freepik