A New Chapter in Cambodia-Japan Digital Ties.

In a small Tokyo café near Shibuya Crossing, a young Cambodian tourist named Dara stood in front of the cashier, pulling out his phone and opening his Bakong e-wallet. The barista smiled and pointed to a QR code labeled “JPQR.” Without hesitation, Dara scanned it, and within seconds, the payment was confirmed. No fumbling for yen, no currency conversion fees—just a simple tap and scan. This moment, while quiet, symbolizes a transformative shift in cross-border payments, one that has just begun unfolding between Cambodia and Japan.

According to a press release published on April 25, a new initiative is underway to strengthen mutual interconnectivity between Cambodia and Japan. The collaboration between KHQR and JPQR focuses on making cross-border payments easier through QR codes and will roll out in two phases. In Phase 1, Cambodian users of the Bakong system will be able to make payments in Japan by simply scanning JPQR codes. Phase 2 will allow Japanese users to pay in Cambodia by scanning KHQR codes, creating a seamless payment experience between the two countries.

A Landmark Agreement

In 2024, the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) and Japan’s Payments Japan Association (PJA) signed a groundbreaking memorandum of understanding (MoU) that aims to interlink Cambodia’s KHQR and Japan’s JPQR systems. This initiative marks a bold step into a new era of digital finance between the two countries, fueled by mutual trust, a shared vision of financial inclusion, and the desire to simplify cross-border transactions for tourists, businesses, and investors alike.

Also read: Also read: How Many Financial Institutions Operate the Bakong System in Cambodia?

The cross-border QR payment project, a bilateral agreement formalized between the NBC and PJA, is being rolled out in two strategic phases. Phase one enables Cambodian users of the Bakong system—the country’s pioneering central bank digital payment infrastructure—to make payments in Japan using their e-wallets by simply scanning JPQR codes. Phase two, soon to follow, will allow Japanese users to scan KHQR codes and pay directly in Cambodia.

The Role of ACLEDA, Sathapana, and NETSTARS

To ensure a smooth rollout, major Cambodian banks ACLEDA Bank and Sathapana Bank have stepped in to support and sponsor this cross-border QR code payment integration with Japan. On the Japanese side, NETSTARS, a prominent fintech operator, has been appointed to manage and process QR code payments with Cambodia, ensuring compliance, security, and seamless technological synchronization between both countries’ systems.

The significance of this partnership cannot be overstated. According to the NBC, “This initiative will support and promote digital payments, enhancing transaction security and facilitating seamless cross-border payments, thereby stimulating tourism and reducing the need for currency exchange during visits to either country.”

For many Cambodians like Dara, who travel to Japan for tourism, study, or business, the ability to use the Bakong QR code system in Japan brings a level of convenience and peace of mind previously unavailable.

What is Bakong?

For those unfamiliar, Bakong is Cambodia’s flagship blockchain-based digital payment system launched by the National Bank of Cambodia in 2020. Unlike decentralized cryptocurrencies, Bakong is a regulated platform designed to work alongside the country’s fiat currency, the riel, and U.S. dollar.

Bakong enables users to perform a variety of financial functions—from person-to-person transfers and mobile top-ups to merchant payments—all through a unified QR code standard, KHQR. Its design promotes interoperability among banks and e-wallets across Cambodia and aims to foster financial inclusion, particularly in rural areas.

Also read: What is Cambodia’s National AI Strategy? Why Does It Matter for Your Business?

By bringing this innovation to Japan, Bakong is not only exporting Cambodia’s financial technology but also proving that even a small nation can lead the way in digital payment modernization.

Why Does This Matter?

Japan is a favorite destination for Cambodians. In recent years, more Cambodian students, tourists, and workers have ventured into Japan, drawn by its rich culture, advanced infrastructure, and expanding employment opportunities. However, one hurdle has remained—the inconvenience and cost of currency exchange and traditional bank card usage abroad.

This new QR payment system resolves that.

It ensures that Cambodian visitors can now spend in Japan without the need to carry large amounts of cash or worry about international transaction fees. And vice versa, once phase two is implemented, Japanese tourists in Cambodia—many of whom already frequent Angkor Wat and the beaches of Sihanoukville—can enjoy the same ease when paying for services, food, or souvenirs.

Moreover, the interconnection will have broader implications:

• Boost to tourism: With simplified payments, more tourists from both countries will feel confident about traveling and spending.
• Trade stimulation: Cambodian and Japanese small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can receive payments instantly and securely.
• Encouraging digital economies: Both countries are moving toward cashless societies. This partnership accelerates that trend.

A History of Trust and Growth

Japan has been a committed partner in Cambodia’s development journey since the early 1990s. It has supported infrastructure development, education, governance, and humanitarian efforts. As diplomatic ties matured, trade and investment followed.

In 2017, the total trade volume between Cambodia and Japan stood at $1.4 billion. By 2024, that number had surged to $2.2 billion, a testament to growing mutual economic reliance. Japanese companies have invested in Cambodia’s manufacturing, agriculture, and increasingly, in digital innovation and fintech.

Also read: How Many Financial Institutions Operate the Bakong System in Cambodia?

During former Prime Minister Kishida Fumio’s visit to Cambodia in December 2023, the groundwork for this cross-border payment system was laid through a memorandum of cooperation between the National Bank of Cambodia and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). This cooperation was not just symbolic—it was strategic, demonstrating how financial interoperability can be a cornerstone of modern diplomacy.

Real-Life Impact: From Tokyo to Phnom Penh

Back in Phnom Penh, Japanese entrepreneur Haruki Tanaka, who runs a chain of Japanese ramen shops, is optimistic about the upcoming phase two.

“I look forward to the day when Japanese tourists can use their phones to scan KHQR and pay for their meals here. It removes one barrier. It creates a sense of familiarity for Japanese travelers, and for us business owners, it means easier, faster transactions,” he shared.

Similarly, Cambodian overseas students studying in Osaka have welcomed the news. Sophary, a 22-year-old on a scholarship at Kansai University, explained: “I use Bakong back home all the time. The fact that I can now use it here for daily spending is a game-changer. My parents can top up my wallet from Cambodia, and I can use it right away.”

This is more than a fintech success story—it’s a human story. One where culture, education, business, and technology converge for the greater good.

The Road Ahead

While phase one is already rolling out in Japan, the timeline for phase two implementation—enabling Japanese users to pay in Cambodia using JPQR—is expected by late 2025. Key technical alignments, regulatory frameworks, and security protocols are being finalized.

However, stakeholders on both sides remain committed. As interoperability expands, this system could potentially be adopted by more countries in the ASEAN region and beyond.

Moreover, experts see the potential for the QR code system to extend into remittances, further simplifying how Cambodian workers abroad send money home—an essential economic function for the country.

A Win-Win Digital Milestone

So, can you use Bakong QR code payment in Japan?

Yes, you can—and that’s only the beginning.

The Cambodia-Japan cross-border QR payment system is more than just a convenience; it represents a broader vision where digital payments are borderless, secure, and inclusive. It proves that through thoughtful cooperation, even nations of vastly different sizes and economies can craft solutions that empower people, encourage travel, and support businesses.

As this digital bridge continues to grow, it’s not just money that moves more freely—it’s trust, opportunity, and a shared future.

Have you ever used QR code payments abroad? What do you think about Bakong working in Japan? Share your thoughts in the comments below.