November 13, 2026, 8:00 a.m. (JST)
[Japan] NetStars has entered into a service agreement with Dandelion Payments, Inc. (U.S.), which operates a payment network spanning 200 countries and regions, effective November 10, 2026, to further expand its cross-border payment services and has begun efforts to strengthen its cross-border payment infrastructure.Through this partnership, the company plans to utilize “JPQR”—Japan’s unified QR Code Payment standard—and “JPQR Global,” a system that interconnects “JPQR” with the unified QR Code Payment standards of various countries overseas, for outbound payments, thereby facilitating a smooth payment experience abroad.
Dandelion will handle
settlement for JPQR Global Providing services in over 200 countries worldwide
Through the partnership between NetStars and Dandelion, “JPQR Global”—in which NetStars participates as a switching system operator—plans to utilize Dandelion’s network for outbound payments, a service the initiative aims to realize in the future. Specifically, Dandelion will handle settlement through its services for certain countries and regions where Dandelion’s network is utilized.Hisahiro Nagafuku, Director and COO of NetStars, stated, “We first met with Dandelion about two years ago. Since then, we’ve held various discussions and have now begun our collaboration, starting with initiatives related to JPQR Global.”
Dandelion is a provider of money transfer and foreign exchange services worldwide, operating in more than 200 countries. It serves both individuals and businesses, with real-time money transfers as its key strength.Daniel Canning, Managing Director of Dandelion Payments, said, “Today, it is crucial to realize a world of instant payments—where money can be sent immediately. For example, people expect cross-border payments to be as simple and fast as sending a text message.”
Dandelion is distinguished by its provision of an international payment infrastructure that connects bank accounts,
Collaboration
with JPQR Global and the Unified Overseas QR Code Payment Standard Enabling the Use of Japanese QR Code Payments at Overseas Merchants
NetStars and JPQR Global have now formed a new partnership. Under this new scheme, the companies stated they can continue to facilitate payments within the secure and reliable network that Dandelion has cultivated over the years.
JPQR Global is a system that enables interoperability between Japan’s unified QR Code Payment standard, “JPQR,” and unified QR Code Payment standards in other countries; it was first introduced in July 2025 at the Osaka-Kansai World Expo.NetStars has built the “JPQR Switching System” and is participating in this initiative as its operating provider. The company serves as a single access point connecting switching operators that manage each country’s unified standards with domestic Acquirers, while also handling settlement between overseas switching operators and domestic Acquirers.
With JPQR Global, foreign visitors to Japan can use the QR Code Payment services they are accustomed to in their home countries directly at stores in Japan. Currently, the system is connected to Cambodia and Indonesia, and QR Code Payment services from other Asian countries are scheduled to be added sequentially in the future.For example, visitors to Japan can complete payments simply by scanning the “JPQR Global” QR code installed at Japanese stores using the QR Code Payment services they normally use in their home countries, such as Cambodia’s “KHQR” and Indonesia’s “QRIS.” Conversely, the company is envisioning a system where Japanese QR Code Payments can be processed by scanning QR codes that comply with standardized international specifications.
Dandelion Service Enables
Multi-Currency Settlement Building a Payment Infrastructure That Seamlessly Connects Domestic and International Transactions
Currently, while foreign visitors to Japan can scan JPQR codes to make payments, when Japanese citizens travel abroad to make payments, the rules under this scheme require that settlements for payments made in that country be conducted in that country’s currency, as agreed upon between the relevant nations.While transactions made by foreign visitors in Japan are settled in Japanese yen, transactions made by Japanese citizens abroad must be settled in the local currency. In other words, this collaboration was formed to enable multi-currency settlement using Dandelion’s service.
Regarding money transfer providers, several candidates were shortlisted, but Dandelion was ultimately selected after a comprehensive evaluation of economic conditions and other factors. Mr. Daniel expressed confidence, stating, “There are many players in the money transfer sector, and it is a highly competitive market. Among them, Dandelion offers a service that has it all. We are delighted to have been chosen as the best option.”
Currently, one of JPQR Global’s challenges is the requirement to settle transactions in the counterparty’s currency. As part of JPQR Global’s vision—which includes a desire to improve relations between nations—the company aims to respect other countries’ needs and thus seeks to implement settlement in the counterparty’s currency.
For outbound payments, a system is needed to promptly procure funds denominated in the currency owed to the Merchant in the recipient country—using Japanese yen as the source—and deposit them into the local Merchant’s account via the recipient country’s Payment Service Provider or similar entity. Key considerations in this process include the exchange rate and the settlement in foreign currency based on that rate.By using Dandelion’s service, users can obtain the exchange rate at the time of payment, enabling settlement in the local currency. “All NetStars does is say, ‘Please send the funds in this currency to this recipient.’ That’s all.”
It should be noted that the countries and regions eligible to use Dandelion’s service will be determined in the future based on connection requirements and other factors, and the company will not be responsible for settlement in all countries and regions connected to “JPQR Global.”
JPQR Global also expects to expand the range of supported overseas payment methods, such as those in Singapore and India. NetStars stated that, as the Payment Service Provider for the “JPQR Global” switching system, it will continue to support the expansion of connected destinations and usage environments, and is committed to developing a payment infrastructure that seamlessly connects domestic and international markets.
