Z Holdings to merge Line and Yahoo Japan by March 2024

SoftBank-backed Z Holdings will merge its two wholly owned subsidiaries -- Yahoo Japan and messaging app Line -- by March 2024 to streamline its operations in a bid to position itself as a world-leading artificial intelligence company. Z Holdings President Kentaro Kawabe made the announcement Thursday after the decision was approved by its board of directors, but details are yet to be made public. Line President and Z Holdings co-CEO Takeshi Idezawa will become Z Holdings president on April 1, while Kawabe will become chairman. This could be due to a conflict with your ad-blocking or security software. Please add japantimes.co.jp and piano.io to your list of allowed sites.