In addition, LINE was also selected to undertake the project in the category of "Commercial Facilities." It will be conducting demonstration tests in June by introducing LINE Pay to both the public and private domains.
By going cashless, LINE aims to contribute to the convenience of Fukuoka residents, the productivity of small and medium-sized enterprises, and the attractiveness as a commercial and tourist capital.
This is to announce that LINE Corporation (Head Office: Shinjuku, Tokyo, CEO and Representative Director: Takeshi Idezawa), its subsidiary company, LINE Pay Corporation, which operates a mobile remittance and payment service on LINE, called “LINE Pay”(https://line.me/pay) (Head Office: Shinjuku, Tokyo, CEO and Representative Director: Ko Youngsu), and another subsidiary which is based in Fukuoka, LINE Fukuoka Corporation (Head Office: Hakata, Fukuoka, Representative Director/President/CEO: Mr. Noritaka Ochiai) were selected for the Fukuoka City Full Support Verification Test Project related to the “Cashless” initiative out of all the contestants applying from all over Japan. The project, which is spearheaded by Fukuoka City, aims to find solutions for various social issues through the utilization of cutting-edge technologies of AI or IoT.
Under the catchphrase, “Cashless Fukuoka”, Fukuoka City and private companies will be collaborating to promote cashlessness. By having Fukuoka residents and tourists experience this service, it would promote the partnership between Fukuoka City and group companies to advance a cashless society.
LINE Corporation, LINE Pay Corporation, and LINE Fukuoka Corporation were selected as the finalist to lead in the two areas of public and private domains concerning the Fukuoka City’s Full Support Verification Test Project, related to the demonstration test of going “cashless.” We will implement activities to promote cashlessness in the city by partnering with Fukuoka City and our group companies.
In June 2018, we will install the LINE Pay system to the city’s facilities. For example, zoos, botanical gardens, museums, and bicycle parking facilities, as well as commercial sites, such as the yatais (outdoor food stalls), shopping arcades, and taxi services will be equipped with the system to conduct verification tests for going cashless. In this experiment, we envision combining multiple LINE services, not limited to LINE Pay only, but also linking Fukuoka City’s LINE Official Account (LINE ID: @fukuokacity). Through these efforts, we aim to achieve the following: quality of life that is richer and more convenient for the residents; enhance the productivity of small and medium-sized enterprises that account for 99% of the city’s business; and contribute to the attractiveness of the city as a commercial and tourist destination.
The LINE group will continue to work closely with the local government to support the implementation to go cashless in the broader community.
LINE Pay Corporation has joined the following associations and registered as a business operator at the time of the start of the operation of the business.