What it is
PayPay is a smartphone QR-code payment service in Japan, backed by a major banking and tech group. Shoppers scan a store code or are redirected online, then pay from a PayPay balance, linked bank, or card.
- Japan's leading QR-code payment app by user count.
- In-store scan-to-pay and online checkout both supported.
- Funds come from balance, bank account, or card.
Where it is mainly used
PayPay is used across Japan at convenience stores, restaurants, retail chains, and many small shops. For online sellers it matters when targeting Japanese consumers who prefer familiar local apps over cards.
- Dominant in Japan across physical and online retail.
- Tens of millions of registered users.
- Strong pull for domestic Japanese shoppers.
How customers pay at checkout
In-store, the shopper opens the PayPay app and scans the merchant QR code, or shows their code to be scanned. Online, the shopper is sent to a PayPay screen to confirm payment within the app.
- User-scan and merchant-scan modes in stores.
- Online payments go through a redirect or partner integration.
- PayPay balance, bank, or card can fund the purchase.
Merchant access and local-entity notes
In-store PayPay is open to Japanese businesses with a physical location, but online PayPay is typically set up through a partner payment service provider. Cross-border merchants without a Japanese entity usually cannot contract PayPay directly.
- In-store: Japanese entity with a physical shop.
- Online: apply via a partnered PSP, not direct.
- A local Japanese presence is effectively required for direct use.
PSP and aggregator route
For cross-border merchants, the realistic path to PayPay is a payment provider that already supports it, such as KOMOJU or a Japan-focused gateway. This avoids a direct Japanese contract.
- Japan-specialist PSPs expose PayPay as one method.
- One integration can include other Japanese wallets too.
- Your PSP handles settlement and reconciliation.
Pricing and settlement
PayPay publishes a transaction system usage fee for direct merchants, but rates for cross-border sellers depend on the PSP you use. Published pricing is for initial screening only; confirm the provider's official pricing page or a written quote before you go live.
- Direct in-store fees are published on PayPay's site.
- PSP-added PayPay pricing varies by provider.
- Settlement timing depends on your contract or PSP.
Public contact route
PayPay publishes an official store FAQ, merchant terms, and a business site. No public sales email found; use the official website contact page or LocalPayMap consultation.
- PayPay store FAQ: https://paypay.ne.jp/store/faq/
- PayPay QR store sign-up: https://paypay.ne.jp/store/user-scan/
- PayPay online merchant terms: https://about.paypay.ne.jp/docs/terms/paypay-merchant-terms-online
Technical and pricing fields to verify
Use this structured checklist before you ask for a quote or implementation access. Unknown fields are intentionally marked as “to be confirmed” instead of being treated as unavailable.
| Pricing model | wallet acceptance or psp priced |
|---|---|
| Pricing basis | provider quote required |
| Fee range | To be confirmed |
| FX markup | to be confirmed |
| Chargeback fee | To be confirmed |
| Payout fee | To be confirmed |
| Reserve policy | To be confirmed |
| API / checkout route | psp wallet enablement |
| SDK languages | to_be_confirmed |
| Sandbox | likely supported verify in docs |
| Webhooks | likely supported verify in docs |
| Idempotency | to be confirmed |
| PCI scope | to be confirmed |
| 3-D Secure | To be confirmed |
| Recurring billing | to be confirmed |
| Marketplace split | to be confirmed |
| Partial refund | to be confirmed |
| Preauth / capture | To be confirmed |
Official links to open
Public pricing signals are for initial screening only. Actual quotes can vary by country, industry, transaction volume, settlement currency, integration route, and contract terms.
Questions merchants ask
Is PayPay a wallet or a QR payment?
It is a QR-code payment app that also holds a balance, so it blends wallet and scan-to-pay features.
Can a foreign merchant use PayPay directly?
Direct online PayPay usually needs a Japanese entity. Most cross-border sellers reach it through a Japan-capable PSP.
How do Japanese shoppers pay with PayPay?
By scanning a store QR code in person or confirming a PayPay screen during online checkout.
What does PayPay cost?
Direct in-store fees are published; PSP-added PayPay fees vary. Published pricing is for initial screening only; confirm the provider's official pricing page or a written quote before you go live.
Does PayPay work for online stores?
Yes, but online onboarding goes through partnered payment providers rather than a simple direct sign-up.
How popular is PayPay in Japan?
It is one of the largest QR payment apps in Japan with tens of millions of users, making it hard to ignore for the Japanese market.