Jakarta. Indonesia and Japan on Monday officially launched a cross-border digital payment system that allows consumers in both countries to make transactions using a QR code standard, further integrating financial connectivity between Asia’s largest economies.

The system, known as QRIS (Quick Response Indonesian Standard) in Indonesia, became operational on August 17, 2025, and enables seamless payments in either rupiah or yen without the need for currency exchange.

Bank Indonesia Governor Perry Warjiyo said the initiative follows similar partnerships already in place with Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.

“Indonesian tourists in Japan no longer need to carry rupiah or yen. All they need is their mobile phone. From Shibuya to Okachimachi, they can simply scan and pay,” Perry said at the launch ceremony in Jakarta.

He added that the QRIS system strengthens digital economic ties while making payments faster, safer, and more efficient.

Japan’s Support for Regional Connectivity
Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato underscored the importance of the initiative amid rapid globalization and Asia’s growing economic weight. “As cross-border transactions increase, so does the need for reliable payment systems. With this step, we are moving toward a future where trade in goods and services between Japan and Indonesia becomes even more dynamic,” he said.

The partnership builds on the direct yen-rupiah settlement framework introduced in 2020, which allows bilateral transactions without using the US dollar as an intermediary.

In its initial phase, the QR payment system will be accepted at World Expo 2025 in Osaka and by select merchants at Haneda Airport, with plans to expand to other locations across Japan.

The implementation is the result of close collaboration between Bank Indonesia, the Indonesian Payment System Association (ASPI), Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the Payment Japan Association (PJA), Netstars, and financial institutions from both countries.

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