Gcash now accepted in Japan stores via Alipay+
TOKYO, Japan — In an effort to help avid Filipino travellers experience seamless transactions in Japan, Gx-change Inc. (GXI), the operator of the widely-used electronic wallet (e-wallet) Gcash, continues its partnership with Alipay+ to allow Gcash users to pay for products in Japan using their home wallet.
The launch of Alipay+ in Japan was helmed by its operator Ant International, led by its President Douglas Feagin, with the support of six e-wallets accepted in Japan via Alipay+. Among the e-wallets highlighted at the press conference in Tokyo on March 26 were Gcash, represented by GXI President and CEO Oscar “Renren” Reyes, Alipayhk (Hong Kong), Kakao Pay (South Korea), Mpay (Macao), Touch ‘N Go (TNG) (Malaysia), and True Money (Thailand).
Reyes welcomed the opportunity opened for Filipinos to conveniently purchase goods in Japan without the hassle of converting cash and varying currency exchange rates. When using the “Pay Overseas with Alipay+” on Gcash, users can simply present their individual barcodes and QR codes, which the merchants will scan. The payment is automatically accepted and converted from peso to yen with competitive exchange rates.
“It's really kudos to the Alipay+ Japan team for having such a big merchant market base with over 1.5 million. Filipinos love buying things from 7-Eleven, Lawson, Don Quijote, and Daimaru as top destinations. Aside from Filipino tourists, Filipinos are everywhere, including Japan, they like to go around the world,” remarked Reyes in the press conference.
Japan is the third biggest country destination for Filipinos, after the United States and Canada, but Japan is the number one market for Filipinos in terms of global payments or using their Gcash wallets outside the Philippines, he shared.
"Our long-standing partnership with Alipay+ has allowed us to be an indispensable companion for Filipino travelers in now 47 countries and territories around the world. We are glad to continue strengthening our collaboration with Alipay+ to ensure every Filipino has a seamless and secure cashless payment option when they travel abroad,” Reyes added.
Overall, Alipay+ has 16 e-wallets and bank app partners that are accepted in Japan via Alipay+. They include Alipay (Chinese mainland), Naver Pay and Toss (South Korea), Singapore’s OCBC Digital, Changi Pay and Ez-link; MYPB by Public Bank Berhad (Malaysia), Hellomoney (Philippines), Hipay (Mongolia), and Tinaba (Italy).
Some stores like flagship department store Daimaru in Tokyo, and merchants in the Asakusa area accept Alipay+. Majority of partner merchants have signages displayed on stores and kiosks, indicating they accept this mobile payment. While others do not have signages, Filipino travellers can freely ask merchants if they accept Alipay+.