ArrowArtboardCreated with Sketch.Title ChevronTitle ChevronIcon FacebookIcon LinkedinIcon Mail ContactPath LayerIcon MailPositive ArrowIcon Print
Business deals

As Line hits growth wall it seeks SoftBank integration

A merger threatens to shake up Asia's digital services playing field

SoftBank is expected to become the parent company of a new joint venture to be set up by SoftBank and Naver. (Photos by Ken Kobayashi)

TOKYO -- The company that runs the popular-in-three-markets Line chat app is in the final stages of integration talks with the operator of the Yahoo Japan stable of internet services, a merger that could rearrange Asia's smartphone app battlefield.

It was in January when Line President Takeshi Idezawa declared that Line would go on a strategic investment offensive focusing on fintech and artificial intelligence. "We will double strategic investment," he said of the year ahead.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored Content This content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.

Nikkei Asian Review, now known as Nikkei Asia, will be the voice of the Asian Century.

Celebrate our next chapter
Free access for everyone - Sep. 30

Find out more