Didi Ties Up With SoftBank to Give a Lift to Japanese Taxi Companies
The joint venture could deal a blow to Uber’s efforts in Japan
Chinese ride-hailing giant Didi Chuxing Technology Co. is teaming up with SoftBank Group Corp. to help Japan’s taxi industry deploy cars more efficiently, in a move likely to stymie the ambitions of Uber Technologies Inc. in the country.
Didi said on Friday it will set up a joint venture with SoftBank’s Japanese telecom unit to adapt its ride-hailing platform for local taxi companies, which have been slow to adapt new technologies. The two companies said they would begin trial services in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Fukuoka within...