Singtel expands mobile wallet alliance to Japan

Singtel’s VIA, Asia’s first cross-border mobile payment alliance has launched in Japan. Merchants at Haneda Airport International Terminal which are operated by Japan Airport Terminal Co, can now accept QR code payments from tourists on VIA, with more acceptance points across Japan due to be added in the coming year. NETSTARS is the participating network enabling payments.

The VIA alliance is the first initiative of its kind to connect both telco and non-telco mobile wallets across borders to create a region-wide payment network that will enable consumers to use their local mobile wallets at participating merchants when travelling. The alliance which currently counts Singtel’s Dash and AIS GLOBAL Pay among its member mobile wallets enables tourists from Singapore and Thailand to shop and dine across Japan using QR code payments in their local currency at competitive exchange rates.

Following the launch at Haneda, VIA will expand into the rest of Tokyo and other popular tourist destinations such as Osaka, Kyoto and Hokkaido. Acceptance points will include convenience stores, restaurants and department stores.

Japan has seen robust growth in tourist numbers from Southeast Asia in recent years. There were over 3.3 million arrivals from Southeast Asia in 2018, an increase of 14%, with tourists from Thailand rising 15%, breaking 1 million for the first time[1]. With Southeast Asians leading a mobile-first lifestyle and QR codes being the dominant digital payment solution in the region, the launch of VIA will contribute to Japanese tourism and is expected to boost store sales.