Mobike inks deal with Japanese social media giant

Leading Chinese bike-sharing firm Mobike has announced a new agreement with LINE, Japan's biggest online social networking site, reports thepaper.cn.

Hu Weiwei, Chair of Mobike Technology (right) and Takeshi Idezawa, Chair and CEO of LINE (left) attend a news conference to detail their new strategic partnership, December 20, 2017. [Photo: thepaper.cn]

LINE, with some 71-million users in Japan, will allow Mobike to use its app to register new Mobike clients. Once registered, LINE users will be able to unlock a Mobike by scanning a QR code via the LINE app. They will also be able to pay via LINE's online payment service.

"As a recognized trendsetter in social media, LINE is famous for its innovative culture, which is in tandem with ours. I believe our cooperation will create a smart riding experience for Japanese users," said Hu Weiwei, Chair of Mobike Technology.

Takeshi Idezawa, Chairman and CEO of LINE, says his company also intends to work with other Japanese firms and local governments to help Mobike Japan expand its operations. LINE is now the biggest external investor in Mobike Japan, holding just under 20% of its shares.

Mobike Japan, as a subsidiary of Mobike, was established in June, 2017 in the city of Fukuoka. Its services expanded to the northern Japanese city of Sapporo in August, 2017.