Value Creation History

• January1996

  Foundation of Yahoo Japan Corporation

  Yahoo! JAPAN service was launched as Japan's first commercial search engine. Has worked to expand and improve its services with the aim of becoming a "life engine" used in all aspects of daily life, so that it can accurately meet the changing needs of users along with the proliferation of the Internet.

  

• FY2008

  Released Yahoo! JAPAN smartphone app (iOS ver.)

  Responded to dramatic changes in the Internet usage environment, such as the rapid expansion of smartphone use.

  

• FY2013

  Announced new e-commerce strategy

  Eliminated all store tenant fees and loyalty payments in Yahoo! JAPAN Shopping (online shopping mall), transitioning from a fee-based revenue model to one based on advertising. In a similar manner, decided to eliminate store tenant fees in YAHUOKU! (Internet auction website).

  

• FY2018

  Launched cashless payment service "PayPay"

  Established PayPay Corporation through joint investment with SoftBank Corp. Succeeded in rapidly acquiring users and merchants through large-scale promotions, etc. Playing a central role in promoting cashless transactions, has established a dominant position in the QR/barcode payment market in Japan.

  

• FY2019

  Transitioned to a holding company structure, changed trade name to Z Holdings Corporation

  Transitioned to a holding company structure that enables flexible and agile decision-making, optimal allocation of management resources, and more rapid implementation of business strategies to further expand business domains and maximize corporate value in the rapidly changing Internet industry. Changed trade name to Z Holdings Corporation.

  

• FY2020

  Business integration with LINE Corporation

  Formed one of Japan's largest Internet service corporate groups, providing over 200 services in Japan.

  

• FY2022

  Announced Group reorganization and transition to an in-house company system

  Announced the merger of five major Group companies (including Yahoo Japan Corporation and LINE Corporation) to accelerate the generation of Group synergies. From October 2023, changed the trade name to LY Corporation, and transitioned to operating businesses under an in-house company system. Will work on product development and synergy creation that transcend the boundaries between companies and services.

  

LINE has continued to evolve into a "life platform" supporting all aspects of life 24/7

LINE, which started as a messenger app that brought people closer together, has gradually expanded its range of services and made users' lives more convenient as a smart portal connecting people, information, services, and everything else. Initially, the content business, such as stickers and games, was the mainstay of LINE's revenue, but the advertising business, based on 178 million users (as of March 31, 2023) in four major countries and regions, is now the main revenue source.