Press Release

PayPay Corporation is pleased to announce that from June 15, 2023, merchants*1 that have adopted the cashless payment service “PayPay” and that have also introduced Alipay+ will start accepting payments by TrueMoney from Thailand, Touch ‘n Go eWallet from Malaysia, and GCash and HelloMoney by AUB from the Philippines. With this, in addition to the already-integrated Alipay from mainland China, AlipayHK from Hong Kong, and Kakao Pay from South Korea, a total of more than 1 billion users of these services can now pay for food, drinks, souvenirs, accommodation, etc. with QR codes placed at PayPay merchants when they visit Japan. “PayPay” has been highly approved of for its wide reach, from nationwide chain stores to privately owned stores that do not accept credit cards, and it is the only major QR code payment service in Japan that has partnered with Alipay+.

*1. Only merchants that adopted PayPay with the user scan method, in which users scan QR codes in the store to make a payment.

With the aim of supporting merchants seeking to capture foreign tourist demand, PayPay has been creating an environment in which users of overseas cashless payment services such as Alipay, can make payments at PayPay merchants by integrating with them since PayPay was launched in October 2018. When paying for goods and services with overseas cashless payment services through “PayPay” QR codes, after entering the price in yen, the amount is automatically converted into the currency of each country. This makes shopping easy, and it also provides benefits for merchants, such as smoother transactions with tourists who speak different languages.

In April 2023, Japan’s border restrictions due to the spread of COVID-19 were lifted, and according to Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), the number of foreigners visiting Japan in April 2023 recovered to nearly 2 million, about 66% of the number in April 2019, before COVID-19. With the increase of foreign visitors, the gross merchandise values of Alipay, AlipayHK, and Kakao Pay via Alipay+, which is already integrated with “PayPay,” are also growing. “With further recovery of inbound tourism expected in the future, the new partnership with Alipay+ partner wallets—TrueMoney, Touch ‘n Go eWallet, GCash, and HelloMoney by AUB—will bring in cashless payment service users from overseas and help merchants increase their sales.

*2. From Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), “Number of Foreign Visitors to Japan (April 2023 Estimates).”

The integration with each service utilizes Alipay+, Ant Group’s product which provides global cross-border mobile payment solutions and marketing solutions for merchants. PayPay merchants can apply to use Alipay+ for free including initial costs*3 and can support seven overseas cashless services through Alipay+ by simply placing QR codes in their stores without having to install payment terminals. In addition, Alipay+ runs various seasonal promotional campaigns, and regularly promotes the use of its payment service by offering discounts to users when making payments with Alipay+ during these promotion periods.

*3. The payment system fee for Alipay+ is 1.98% of the transaction amount (excluding tax). For details regarding the PayPay merchants’ application for Alipay+, please visit here.

PayPay will continue to enhance its collaboration with overseas payment services to further support merchants to capture inbound tourists.

■ Overseas cashless payment services that “PayPay” is integrated with

■ How to pay using overseas cashless services with “PayPay” QR codes (below example: Alipay)

■ How merchants can use Alipay and Alipay+

「PayPay merchants that have not yet applied for Alipay and Alipay+ need to apply in order to use both services. Please refer to the help page for merchants to apply.

■ About Alipay+

Alipay+ provides global cross-border mobile payment solutions and merchant marketing solutions. Through Ant Group’s Alipay+, SMBs will be able to serve more international consumers, offering a more convenient and advantageous digital lifestyle for them. For more information, please visit https://www.alipayplus.com/.

■ About “PayPay,” the cashless payment service provided by PayPay Corporation

PayPay is a cashless payment service expanding across the country, available not only at major chain stores but also at small and medium size retailers, vending machines, taxis, and even public transportation. It can also be used in a variety of other situations, including paying for online services and utility bills. PayPay is also expanding its range of services beyond just payments, including a “send/receive” feature (remittance/transfer and receiving of money) that allows users to transfer their PayPay Balance (PayPay Money and PayPay Money Lite) between each other for free, or “point management,” a service that allows users access to a simulated investment experience involving the exchange of PayPay Points with points provided by a service provider that PayPay is partnered with. The company also strives to create a safe and convenient environment for users through a hotline available 24/7 and a full compensation scheme ensuring, compensation for any damages that may be suffered.

PayPay is registered as follows:
・Prepaid Payment Instruments (third party type) Issuer, Registration #: Director-General of the Kanto Finance Bureau, No. 00710 (Registration date: October 5, 2018)
・Business Operator that Concludes Contracts on the Handling of Credit Card Numbers, etc., Registration #: Kanto (K) No. 106 (Registration date: July 1, 2019)
・Telecommunications Carrier (Filing #: A-02-17943 / Date filed: July 2, 2019)
・Fund Transfer Operator, Registration #: Director-General of the Kanto Finance Bureau, No. 00068 (Registration date: September 25, 2019)
・Notified Person Entrusted with Intermediation (Filing #: C1907980 / Date filed: December 18, 2019)
・Bank Agency Operator, License: Director-General of the Kanto Finance Bureau, No. 396 (Registration date: November 26, 2020)
・Financial instruments intermediary service registration number: Kanto Finance Bureau Director (Kinchu) No. 942 (Registration date: June 25, 2021)
・Japan Payment Service Association (https://www.s-kessai.jp/, Date of admission: September 12, 2018)
・Japan Consumer Credit Association (https://www.j-credit.or.jp/ , Date of admission: July 1, 2019)

* “PayPay” provides 4 types of PayPay balance: PayPay Money, PayPay Money Lite, PayPay Points, and Gift Vouchers.
PayPay Money can be used to pay for partner services and in transactions at merchants if the transaction value is within the amount deposited into the PayPay account opened after completing an identity verification process. It can also be used for sending and receiving money between PayPay users free of charge. PayPay Money can also be cashed out to a designated bank account (no withdrawal fee if using PayPay Bank). The legal nature of this is an electromagnetic record which can be used to pay for goods and other services, and can be remitted or cashed out, and is issued by PayPay who is a Fund Transfer Operator registered under Article 37 of the Payment Services Act. Based on the provisions of Article 43 of the Payment Services Act, PayPay protects the debt it owes to its users in by depositing assets equivalent to or more than the debt amount. PayPay Money Lite is an electronic money issued by PayPay, which can be purchased and used to pay for services and merchants. PayPay users can transfer and receive PayPay Money Lite free of charge. The legal nature of this is a prepaid payment instrument issued by PayPay (Article 3, Paragraph 1 of the Payment Services Act). Based on the provisions of Article 14 of the Payment Services Act, PayPay preserves the relevant assets for the purpose of protecting the owners of the prepaid payment instrument by providing a security deposit for issuance to the Legal Affairs Bureau in an amount that is half or more of the unused balance of prepaid instrument methods as of March 31 and September 30. In addition, PayPay Points, which are granted through campaigns and promotions when using PayPay, can be used for partner services and in transactions at merchants in addition to PayPay Money and PayPay Money Lite. However, PayPay Bonus and PayPay Bonus Lite cannot be sent or transferred between PayPay users or be cashed out. PayPay Gift Voucher is a type of electronic money issued by PayPay, which can be used to make payments for affiliated services and merchants designated by the PayPay Gift Voucher. However, it cannot be transferred to other users or cashed out. PayPay Gift Vouchers are valid for six months after issuance, after which they will no longer be valid.
PayPay also strives to create a safe and secure environment for users. If an unexpected payment is made by a third party using a PayPay account, or if a request to settle a payment suddenly arrives from PayPay to a user that does not have a PayPay account, providing that certain conditions are met, the user can be compensated for the damages suffered (the difference will be provided as compensation if compensation is also provided by a third party). Please see applying for compensation for details.

*The company name, trade name, and product/service in this press release are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective companies.