Japan's FamilyMart plans 600 rental sites for electric scooters

Convenience store chain teams up with sharing service Luup with laws eased

20220421 Luup and Family Mart

Electric scooters are attracting attention as an environmentally friendly and convenient means of transportation. (Source photos by Manami Yamada and Shihoko Nakaoka)

Nikkei staff writers

TOKYO - Japanese convenience store operator FamilyMart will establish lending bases for electric scooters at more than 600 stores, Nikkei has learned. With the tailwind from a recent easing of regulations, e-scooters are being accepted as eco-friendly transportation, and the spread of bases in convenience stores is likely to broaden their use.

Under current Japanese law, e-scooters are categorized as "motorized bicycles" and cannot be ridden on public roads without a driver's license and helmet. However, Japan's parliament enacted a law this week that will allow within two years those aged 16 and up to drive e-scooters without a license. Wearing helmets will be regarded as an individual's responsibility but will not be required.

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