Japanese Tourists Will Soon Be Able to Use QR for Transactions in Indonesia

Bank Indonesia has confirmed that the cross-border QR payment collaboration with Japan will soon apply bidirectionally. In the near future, Japanese tourists will be able to make transactions in Indonesia using QR codes from their home country.

Bank Indonesia Deputy Governor Filianingsih Hendarta stated that the development of QRIS cross-border with Japan has entered its final stage.

“Update with good news that our cross-border with Japan has obtained the Netstar licence. The switching with Japan has obtained the licence for the other side,” said Filianingsih on Wednesday (18/3/2026).

Filianingsih explained that implementation is currently underway for the Indonesian outbound scheme. Since 17 August 2025, Indonesian tourists have been able to use QRIS for transactions in Japan.

Going forward, the scheme will apply in reverse through Japan outbound. Japanese tourists visiting Indonesia will be able to use QR codes from their country to transact at domestic merchants.

“Currently, preparations are being made, and permissions have already been issued. So there will be Japan outbound, meaning Japanese people coming to Indonesia as tourists or for other visits can use their QR codes at Indonesian merchants,” said Filianingsih.

With this bidirectional scheme, the QRIS cross-border collaboration between Indonesia and Japan is considered more complete. The integration of this digital payment system is expected to facilitate transactions for tourists while promoting economic efficiency and the tourism sector.

“So the QRIS cross-border with Japan is now complete from both sides (both Indonesian outbound and Japan outbound),” emphasised Filianingsih.