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Sharing Economy

E-scooters roll into Japan for last-mile rides

Insiders call for common sense in regulation of potential $500bn industry

A rider uses a Wind Mobility electric scooter outside Urawa-misono train station in Saitama, the only place the devices are available in Japan. (Photo by Toshihide Takeda)

TOKYO -- E-scooters have zoomed into the spotlight around the world over the past two or three years. In the U.S., the trend has helped scooter-sharing startups such as Bird and Lime achieve unicorn status.

Now the compact conveyance has arrived in one corner of Japan: Urawa-misono Station in Saitama, a 50-minute underground train ride north of Tokyo.

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