Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Indonesian tourists traveling to Japan will soon be able to make payments using their domestic QR code-based payment system, QRIS (Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard), beginning August 17, 2025.
The announcement was made by Bank Indonesia Governor Perry Warjiyo during a press briefing of the Financial System Stability Committee (KSSK) on Monday (July 28).
“QRIS will be officially operational in Japan starting August 17. By the 18th, it can already be used for transactions there,” Warjiyo said.
The cross-border payment rollout, which follows successful trial phases, is expected to significantly ease transactions for Indonesian visitors in Japan. Rather than exchanging cash into yen, tourists will be able to scan Japanese QR codes (JPQR) using Indonesian e-wallet apps.
“For Indonesians visiting Japan, they can now use QRIS to shop and make payments directly,” Warjiyo added.
Initially, the service will operate on an outbound basis, meaning Indonesian citizens in Japan can use local mobile payment apps to scan QR codes at Japanese merchants. The inbound phase, where Japanese tourists would be able to use their domestic QR systems in Indonesia, is still under development.
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The move is part of Bank Indonesia’s broader initiative to expand digital payment connectivity across borders. In addition to Japan, Indonesia is working toward integrating QRIS with other major economies, including China, Saudi Arabia, and India. However, these connections are still in trial stages.
“We’re deepening cooperation with China and will start with testing before it goes live. The same applies to Saudi Arabia and India,” Warjiyo said.
Indonesia has already established cross-border QR payment systems with several Southeast Asian countries, namely Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. Indonesian travelers can use local digital payment apps for seamless transactions in these nations, eliminating the need for currency exchange.
The expansion marks a major step in regional financial integration, aligning with broader goals for interoperable payment networks across Asia.
(Raidi/Agung)
