Didi banking on SoftBank alliance for Japan foothold

Didi Chuxing, the largest ride-hailing company in China, is entering the Japanese market through a taxi-hailing joint venture with SoftBank Corp.

The move comes amid a surge in the number of Chinese tourists to Japan and is part of the Beijing-based company's broader push to export its artificial intelligence technology.

Under the partnership, the two sides will build a ride-hailing platform to enhance efficiency for both taxi operators and drivers. Didi and Soft-Bank aim to commence trial services in Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka, Tokyo and other locations within this year.