India vs Japan · Real-time payment systems compared
| Capability | IMPS | Zengin |
|---|---|---|
| QR Code Payments | — | — |
| Wallet Support | — | — |
| 24/7 Availability | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cross-Border | — | — |
| ISO 20022 | — | — |
| Request to Pay | — | — |
| Open API | ◐ | — |
| Alias/Proxy | — | — |
Immediate Payment Service is India's original 24/7 real-time interbank transfer system launched by NPCI, and the foundational infrastructure that UPI was later built upon. IMPS uses MMID (Mobile Money Identifier) and mobile number for addressing, supports transfers up to INR 5 lakh, and connects banks via the National Financial Switch. While UPI has overtaken it for consumer payments, IMPS remains widely used for direct bank-to-bank transfers and backend settlement.
Japan's domestic interbank clearing network, one of the oldest electronic payment systems in the world, connecting over 1,000 banks. Originally batch-only; upgraded to 24/7 real-time in 2018 via the More Time System. Underpins consumer real-time transfers in every Japanese bank's mobile app, any-bank ATM transfers, and the bank-funding legs of major consumer wallets (PayPay, LINE Pay, Rakuten Pay, au PAY). Operated by the Japanese Bankers Association with settlement through the BOJ. Note: data includes all Zengin transactions (real-time and batch-processed).