OSAKA -- Panasonic said on Wednesday it will explore a partnership with China's Mobike, looking to leverage its know-how for the launch of an electric-bike-sharing service in Japan next year.
The Japanese electrical equipment manufacturer will employ a system built on Mobike's expertise that can lock and unlock bicycles electronically and collect payment via a mobile app. Panasonic will initially run the service on its own, starting out with sports bikes that can be rented at tourist attractions. The company carried out a trial this summer at a Hoshino Resorts facility in Yamanashi Prefecture, west of Tokyo.
