Number of monthly active LINE users in Japan Q1 2023-Q4 2024

The messaging app LINE is Japan’s most popular online communication tool. The app reached ** million monthly actives users (MAU) in Japan during the fourth quarter of 2024. 

The rise of LINE in Japan

The success story of the messaging service LINE started back in 2011 during the Great East Japan Earthquake. While conventional communication channels had broken down due to power failures and destroyed infrastructure, official sources turned to online options for communicating news and confirming the safety of citizens. The app was released for public use later that year, appealing greatly to Japanese consumers due to its unique and customizable design, allowing both private and business usage simultaneously. Today, the app is operated by LY Corporation, which is a subsidiary of a joint venture by SoftBank Corp. and Naver Corporation.

LINE usage in Japan

While globally leading networks do get their fair share of popularity within the Japanese social media market, a ranking of the most popular social media shows that LINE has a significantly higher penetration rate compared to internationally successful services such as Instagram or X. Compared to other services, LINE also enjoys a high popularity among older age groups. Survey figures show that contacting friends, acquaintances, or family is the leading reason for using LINE in Japan, although some people also use it to gather information regarding their hobbies or to get the latest news on current events.