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What app do Japanese use to text?
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Answer ( 1 )
Japanese people don’t really use mobile phones at all. They prefer to communicate via email, social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.
This is why Japan has one of the lowest smartphone penetration rates in the world. In fact, according to Statista, less than 10% of Japanese own smartphones.
If you want to reach them, you should consider using LINE instead.
LINE is a chat app developed in Japan which is available in English and Japanese. It is very similar to WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger.
It is free to download and use. You can also pay for premium features including stickers, GIFs, voice calls, video calls, and group chats.
You can also search for friends based on location and share videos, images, and documents.
There are also games, shopping discounts, and more.
LINE is not just limited to messaging though. You can also create events, play music together, and view live broadcasts.
LINE is currently ranked number three in terms of popularity among the top ten most downloaded apps in Japan.
The most popular messaging apps in Japan
Japan uses LINE (LINE Corporation), Kakao Talk (Kakao Corp.), and WhatsApp (Facebook Inc.) as its primary communication tools. LINE is used primarily by young adults, Kakao Talk is favored by older generations, and WhatsApp is used mostly by teens.
WhatsApp was created in 2009 by Jan Koum and Brian Acton. The company was acquired by Facebook in 2014 for $19 billion.
Why they’re so popular
Japan uses iMessage, a free messaging app available for iPhone users. The app was developed by Apple Inc., and offers features similar to those found on Google Hangouts and WhatsApp.
iMessage works across multiple devices, including iPhones, iPads, Macs, and PCs. This means you can send messages to anyone who has an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, regardless of whether they use iMessage or another texting application.
Apple claims that iMessage is secure because it encrypts messages sent over Wi-Fi networks. However, this encryption only protects against eavesdropping when the user is connected to a network. Messages sent through cellular connections are not encrypted, meaning they may be intercepted by third parties.
Another reason Japan uses iMessage is that it supports voice calls. Users can call each other directly from within the app, rather than having to dial phone numbers.
Japanese also use LINE, a social media platform that allows users to create groups called circles. These circles allow friends to communicate privately, share photos, videos, and documents, and play games together.
LINE is owned by Naver Corporation, a South Korean company. The app is available for Android phones, iOS devices, Windows Phone, BlackBerry, and Nokia S40 smartphones.
Which one’s best for business
Japanese users prefer messaging apps over texting apps because they’re faster and easier to use. They’re also better at handling multiple messages at once.
That means businesses should consider using messaging apps when communicating with customers. The most popular messaging apps include LINE, Kakao Talk, WeChat, WhatsApp, Viber, Facebook Messenger, Skype, Telegram, Kik, Snapchat, and iMessage.
If you’re looking for a free option, try Google Hangouts. It works well for small groups and allows you to share photos, videos, documents, and voice notes.
But be aware that many companies block access to these services. So, if you plan to use them, make sure your company doesn’t block them.
Wrapping up
We take a look at some of the top messaging apps used by Japanese consumers.