Asian QR code payment apps flood into Japan

Retailers hope to grab more inbound tourism sales with adoption of the systems

20230306N QR code payment

QR code payment systems are popular in Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam, where almost everyone has a phone but many lack a bank account. © Reuters

KEITA SEKIGUCHI and NATSUMI IWATA, Nikkei staff writers

TOKYO -- QR code contactless payment services from Asia are making inroads into Japan, allowing visitors to the country to use their phones to make purchases just like they do at home.

Japanese payment startup Netstars announced on Monday that it will partner with Vietnam's Military Commercial Joint Stock Bank -- known as MB Bank -- to facilitate payments using the bank's QR code system at Tokyo Dome City, a major sports, leisure and shopping facility in Japan's capital.

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