Online person-to-person money-lending, a growing business in the United States, is showing signs of catching on in Japan despite its potential risks.
An emerging Tokyo venture called maneo Inc. has become a pioneer in the field, bringing together prospective lenders and borrowers over the Internet.
A 32-year-old dairy farmer in the Kanto region who needed money to buy cattle in an auction has already benefited from the company's service, raising ¥2 million in four days from about 40 people via maneo's Web site.