Japanese bank seeks to help regional economy with bus business

Japanese regional banking group Senshu Ikeda Holdings' entry into the reservation-based transit bus business is aimed at stimulating the regional economy, President and CEO Atsushi Ukawa said in a recent interview. "Even regional banks in urban areas must think about serving the local community," Ukawa said of the first reservation bus operations by a regional bank in Japan. He said that the Osaka-based company will work with local governments to expand the operation area to complement public transport. Senshu Ikeda operates an "on-demand bus," which uses artificial intelligence to run according to users' desired dates, times and locations. It partnered with companies, including auto parts maker Aisin, to launch the bus operations on a trial basis in four municipalities in Osaka Prefecture in January 2023.