Indonesia’s Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard (QRIS), the country’s innovative digital payment system designed to unify all domestic payment platforms under a single QR code, is now officially accepted in Japan.
This milestone represents a major step for Indonesia’s fintech sector as it expands internationally, offering Indonesian travelers and business users seamless, cashless payment options abroad.
Beyond convenience, QRIS adoption in Japan strengthens Indonesia’s digital finance presence, demonstrating that domestic fintech innovation can extend globally while supporting financial inclusion for both consumers and businesses.
From Domestic Innovation to International Expansion
Launched by Bank Indonesia in 2019, QRIS transformed Indonesia’s payment landscape by allowing merchants, from street-side vendors to major retail chains, to accept digital payments through one interoperable QR code.
Before QRIS, each e-wallet or banking app required separate QR codes, creating fragmentation and complexity for consumers and merchants alike. The introduction of QRIS not only simplified payments domestically but also enabled micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to access formal digital finance solutions.
Now, with QRIS operational in Japan, Indonesian citizens can make instant, secure payments without needing to exchange currency or rely on international card networks. This international rollout bridges domestic convenience with global accessibility, marking Indonesia’s fintech innovation on the world stage.
Strengthening Indonesia’s Presence in International Finance
The QRIS launch in Japan reflects Indonesia’s growing capabilities in financial technology and aligns with regional cross-border payment initiatives within ASEAN.
Similar collaborations have already been established with Thailand’s PromptPay, Malaysia’s DuitNow, and Singapore’s NETS, creating a foundation for seamless payment interoperability across Southeast Asia.
By extending QRIS to Japan, Indonesia showcases its technological expertise and expands the utility of its domestic digital wallets to a broader, international audience.
For businesses and merchants, the system opens access to Indonesian travelers and expatriates, offering them familiar, low-cost, and secure payment methods. At the same time, this development positions Indonesia as a global player in digital payment solutions, highlighting its innovative approach to financial inclusion.
Implications and the Road Ahead
For Indonesian users in Japan, QRIS provides convenience, cost efficiency, and security, allowing them to transact seamlessly while abroad. Japanese merchants benefit from access to a new, digitally connected customer base. However, challenges remain, including cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, and cross-border standardization.
Addressing these factors will be critical to ensuring smooth adoption and long-term sustainability.
Experts predict that other countries could adopt QRIS in the near future, further expanding Indonesia’s global fintech footprint. This cross-border interoperability may eventually strengthen Indonesia’s role in international finance, enhance economic integration, and inspire other nations to develop similar digital payment frameworks.
The Road Forward
The adoption of QRIS in Japan is more than a convenience, it is a milestone in Indonesia’s fintech journey, proving that domestic innovation can thrive globally.
Indonesian travelers, entrepreneurs, and fintech enthusiasts can now experience seamless digital payments abroad. Support QRIS’s international expansion and watch Indonesia redefine the future of cross-border cashless transactions.
