QRIS Digital Payments Will Be Usable in Japan and China

Bank Indonesia (BI) announced that QRIS, or Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard, will be usable in Japan starting August 17, 2025. The timing coincides perfectly with the celebration of Indonesia's 80th Independence Day.

Deputy Governor of BI, Filianingsih Hendarta, said that BI together with payment system authorities in Japan have started trialing the system through a sandbox—meaning a safe and controlled software testing environment—since May 15, 2025. So, if there are no issues, the official launch can proceed as planned on August 17, 2025.

At the same time, Filianingsih also provided an update on cross-border QRIS trials between Indonesia and China. The two countries are now in the final stages of business, technical, and operational arrangements between China’s UnionPay International and ASPI (Indonesian Payment System Association).

Four payment service providers in Indonesia—PT Rintis Sejahtera (Rintis), PT Alto Network (Alto), PT Artajasa Pembayaran Elektronis (Artajasa), and PT Jalin Pembayaran Nusantara (Jalin)—have also signed agreements with UnionPay International for developing the sandbox system.

With QRIS, Indonesian tourists traveling in Japan no longer need to bother exchanging cash. They just need to scan the QRIS code at stores or merchants there, and the transaction is completed instantly via digital wallets or bank apps that support QRIS.