A Hong Kong store displays a signage that says it accepts Alipay payment from customers. (Photo : Getty Images)
Some 4,000 Japanese vendors are now using Alipay, providing Chinese travelers with more payment options, according to the Chinese payment service provider.
An article by technologynewschina.com said that the Japanese vendors that support Alipay include the country's two international airports, the Narita International Airport and the Kansai International Airport; home appliance stores like Bic Camera, Edion, Joshin, and Yamada Denki; department stores like Daimaru, Kintetsu, Odakyu, Takashimaya, Tokyu, and Tobu; duty free shops like Don Quijote, Laox, and Takeya; apparel brands like Beams, United Arrows, and Uniqlo; convenience stores like Lawson, 7-11, and Family Mart; and cosmetic outlets stores like Kyorindo, Kirindo, and Welcia.
Alipay's entry into the Japanese market was jointly announced by Ant Financial Group and Japan's Recruit Lifestyle, in September last year. The two companies also announced Alipay's access to the smart point-of-sale (POS) network of Recruit, which covers about 176,000 vendors.
The main targets of Alipay's service are Chinese tourists going to Japan. Alipay serves mostly vendors where most purchases are made by Chinese tourists. But the third-party payment service has not yet targeted Japanese consumers.
According to Chen Qingyang, head of Ant Financial's overseas business unit for Japan market, said that regulatory styles, business habits, and market volumes of each country vary. Based on the features of a country, they will create a strategy and may introduce Alipay to Japanese consumers in the future after further research.
Alipay, which started in 2004, now serves more than 80,000 overseas offline stores in 70 countries and regions. It has also cooperated with ride-hailing app Uber and used in 69 nations and regions including Airbnb.
Alipay can also be used by Chinese tourists in Germany after it reached an agreement with Munich Airport in August. Munich Airport is the first in Europe that supports Alipay payment services.
Galeries Lafayette, an upscale French department store in Paris, also signed an agreement with the payment service provider, China Daily reported.
