Key Takeaways:
- LINE, a messaging app from South Korea, is hugely popular in Japan and other Asian countries, with 92 million users in Japan alone.
- LINE’s popularity is due to free internet calls, an easy-to-use interface, versatile features like group chats and stickers, integration with services, and appeal to celebrities and brands.
- In Japan, LINE’s popularity was accelerated by filling communication gaps after the 2011 earthquake.
- Fun elements like animated stickers, multiplayer games, official brand accounts, and convenient mobile payments contribute to LINE’s appeal.
- LINE’s future growth lies in expanding mobile payment services, incorporating AI-driven features like chatbots, and exploring blockchain applications.
LINE is a freeware cross-platform instant messaging app developed by the South Korean company Naver. It is the most popular messaging app in Japan, with over 92 million monthly active users, or 73% of the Japanese population. LINE is also popular in other Asian countries, such as Taiwan, Thailand, and Indonesia.
There are several reasons why LINE is so popular in Japan and other Asian countries.
It is free to use.
The ability to make free calls using smartphones is one of the reasons why LINE has quickly become so popular.
Normally, when you make a call using a smartphone, you use a telephone line, so the system charges a fee based on the time and area used.
However, with LINE calls, there are no call charges at all since the internet connection is used to make calls on the app.
It is easy to use.
LINE is a very user-friendly app. The interface is simple and intuitive, and the app is available in multiple languages.
It has a wide range of features.
LINE offers a wide range of features, including group chats, voice calls, video calls, stickers, and games. This makes it a versatile app that can be used for a variety of purposes.
It is integrated with other services.
LINE is integrated with a variety of other services, such as LINE Pay, LINE Music, and LINE News. This makes it a one-stop shop for communication, entertainment, and news.
It is popular with celebrities and brands.
Many celebrities and brands use LINE to communicate with their fans and customers. This makes LINE a more attractive option for users who want to stay up-to-date with their favorite stars and businesses.
In addition to these factors, LINE’s popularity in Japan is also attributed to its launch in the wake of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. The earthquake and tsunami caused widespread damage to Japan’s telecommunications infrastructure, making it difficult for people to communicate with each other. LINE stepped in to fill the gap, providing a reliable and affordable way for people to stay in touch. This helped to solidify LINE’s position as the leading messaging app in Japan.
LINE is not just a popular messaging app. It has also become a major platform for commerce, entertainment, and news. LINE Pay is a mobile payment service that allows users to make payments at stores and restaurants. LINE Music is a music streaming service that offers a library of over 60 million songs. LINE News is a news aggregator that provides users with news from around the world.
Here are some additional details about the features of LINE that make it so popular in Japan:
Stickers:
LINE is known for its wide variety of stickers, which are animated emojis that users can send to each other. The stickers are often based on popular Japanese characters and celebrities, and they add a touch of humor and personality to conversations.
Games:
LINE also offers a variety of games that users can play with their friends. These games are a fun way to stay connected and have some laughs.
Official Accounts:
Businesses and organizations can create Official Accounts on LINE to communicate with their customers and fans. These accounts can be used to send news, updates, and promotions.
LINE Pay:
LINE Pay is a mobile payment service that allows users to make payments at stores and restaurants. LINE Pay is accepted at millions of merchants in Japan, and it is also available in other countries.
LINE Voom:
LINE Voom is a social media feed that allows users to share posts, photos, and videos with their friends. LINE Timeline is similar to Facebook and Twitter, but it is specifically designed for the Japanese market.
These are just a few of the features that make LINE so popular in Japan. The app is constantly evolving, and it is sure to continue to grow in popularity in the years to come.
The Future of LINE
LINE is a major player in the Asian market, and it is poised to become even more popular in the years to come. The app is constantly evolving and adding new features, and it is exploring new areas, such as artificial intelligence and blockchain technology.
One of the key factors that will drive LINE’s growth in the future is its focus on mobile payments. LINE Pay is already a major mobile payment service in Japan, and it is expanding into other countries. LINE is also developing new features for LINE Pay, such as the ability to make payments with QR codes.
Another key factor that will drive LINE’s growth is its focus on artificial intelligence. LINE is developing a variety of AI-powered features, such as chatbots and voice assistants. These features will make LINE more convenient and user-friendly, and they will also open up new possibilities for businesses and organizations.
LINE is also exploring new areas, such as blockchain technology. Blockchain is a distributed ledger technology that has the potential to revolutionize the way we store and exchange data. LINE is developing blockchain-based applications, such as a decentralized social media platform.
Conclusion
LINE is a popular messaging app in Japan and other Asian countries. It is free to use, easy to use, and has a wide range of features. LINE is also integrated with other services, such as LINE Pay, LINE Music, and LINE News. This makes it a one-stop shop for communication, entertainment, and news.
LINE is constantly evolving and adding new features. In recent years, the app has expanded into new markets, such as the United States and Europe. LINE is also exploring new areas, such as artificial intelligence and blockchain technology.
LINE is a powerful platform that has the potential to change the way we communicate and interact with the world around us. It is already a major player in the Asian market, and it is poised to become even more popular in the years to come.
How we can help
At Medusa Japan with our full localization and transcreation services, your content is localized by a professional team of native, in-house Japanese translators.
We address cultural and non-textual components of your content and re-engineer your brand value proposition to engage the Japanese consumer on an emotional level.
We have the local knowledge to help you through every element of doing business in Japan.
Contact us if you wish to establish a presence in Japan or simplify your Japanese operations.
Asuka is native Japanese and a cultural expert at Medusa Japan. She has also lived in the UK and Ireland and loves traveling.
