Messaging app provider Line Corp. said Wednesday it will launch a short-term bike rental service in Japan next year, teaming up with Chinese startup Mobike to meet the anticipated demand in a sector that is becoming popular around the world.
Line's entry into the market comes at a time when such services — in which users can find, unlock and pay for bicycles using a designated smartphone app — are increasingly common in Europe, the United States and China.
Under the deal, Line will form a capital and business tie-up with the Japanese arm of Mobike and begin the service in the first half of next year.