NETSTARS Supports First Domestic Implementation of  “JPQR Global”at the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo

July 4, 2025

NETSTARS Supports First Domestic Implementation of  “JPQR Global”
at the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo as a Switching System Operator,
with Cambodia as the Initial-Stage Nation

NETSTARS Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Tsuyoshi Ri; hereinafter, “NETSTARS”) will launch provision of the QR code payment service “JPQR Global,” promoted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (hereinafter, “METI”) and the Payments Japan Association (hereinafter, “the PJA”), for which NETSTARS serves as a switching system operator, at the currently ongoing 2025 Japan International Exposition (hereinafter, the “Osaka-Kansai Expo”).

“JPQR Global” is a system that facilitates mutual coordination between Japan’s unified QR code payment standards “JPQR” and the unified QR code payment standards of various other nations. “KHQR”, the unified QR code payment standards of Cambodia, the first country to coordinate with the system, is now compatible with “JPQR Global,” and will be usable at a selection of stores within the Expo venue, including the Cambodia Pavilion, starting on July 5 (Saturday).

■ About JPQR Global
At present, various discussions and adjustments by relevant parties in Japan and overseas are taking place in order to achieve “mutual coordination between domestically unified standards (JPQR) and the unified standards of respective Asian nations,” as indicated in policies such as the Japanese government’s “Tourism Nation Promotion Basic Plan” (decided by the Cabinet on March 31, 2023). “JPQR Global” is a system that utilizes mutual coordination with various nations to enable overseas visitors to Japan to use QR code payment services from their own countries, as normal, when paying at stores within Japan. The system will be launched at the current Osaka-Kansai Expo venue for the first time. Following the upcoming coordination with Cambodia’s KHQR, code payment services from Indonesia and other Asian countries are scheduled to be added in stages.
In addition, preparations are underway to enable Japanese code payment services that participate in this initiative to be used overseas, allowing payment by overseas unified QR codes.

■About Use of JPQR Global at the Osaka-Kansai Expo
KHQR will be usable at the Cambodia Pavilion within the Expo venue from tomorrow, July 5 (Saturday). When a KHQR-compatible payment app is used to scan the JPQR QR code displayed at  “JPQR Global” compatible stores at the Expo, payment will proceed as normal. In addition, the payment amount converted into Cambodian currency will be displayed at the time of payment, allowing users to make payments with full peace of mind.
A phased expansion is planned for the number of stores within the Expo venue where “JPQR Global” can be used.

■About NETSTARS’ Role
NETSTARS has constructed a “JPQR switching system,” and is participating in the initiative as a switching system operator for JPQR. We provide the function of a single access point for switching providers operating respective countries’ unified standards and domestic acquirers, in addition to taking on the role of settlement between overseas switching providers and domestic acquirers.
At the Osaka-Kansai Expo venue, NETSTARS will provide this service in cooperation with METI and the PJA, together with the domestic acquirer of JPQR Global, UC CARD Co., Ltd.
Going forward, NETSTARS will continue to promote the development of the JPQR Global initiative as a switching system operator.

■About NETSTARS
Established in 2009, NETSTARS has progressively expanded its payment gateway business. In 2015, it was the first agent to introduce QR code payment service “WeChatPay” to Japan. Since then, NETSTARS has expanded StarPay, a multi-cashless payment solution service that provides stores with integrated implementation and management of various Japanese and international QR code payments and other cashless payment services. At present, using StarPay’s technological capabilities as a foundation, NETSTARS is working on further development of diversified services.
Official Website: https://www.netstars.co.jp/
*QR Code is a registered trademark of DENSO WAVE Incorporated.