#Japan #Koto City #Joyo Bank #Will Smart #regional mobility

Collaboration between Will Smart and Joyo Bank

In an effort to address the pressing issues surrounding local transportation infrastructure, Will Smart, a technology company located in Koto City, Tokyo, has partnered with Joyo Bank, based in Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture. The two companies formalized their collaboration through a basic agreement signed on July 23, 2025. This partnership aims to explore sustainable business models using digital solutions to optimize local transportation and dissolve transportation gaps, contributing to the revitalization of Ibaraki Prefecture.

Context and Overview of the Collaboration

Japan is currently facing a critical shortage of taxi and bus drivers, particularly in areas experiencing shrinking populations and increasing age demographics. This scarcity has led to the reduction and discontinuation of public transport services, resulting in significant societal challenges, which extend beyond just transportation issues. The expansion of these transportation voids threatens economic decline, limits access to essential services like healthcare and education, and jeopardizes the cohesiveness of local communities.

To tackle these interwoven challenges, Will Smart and Joyo Bank have constructed a cooperative framework that leverages the strengths of both organizations. Will Smart brings its expertise in digital innovation in the mobility market, while Joyo Bank offers its strong community ties and local networks to create a sustainable regional transportation system.

Roles of Each Company

Within this collaboration, Will Smart will provide insights related to transportation policies for local governments, implement digital public rideshare systems in areas lacking transportation services, and contribute data collection and utilization technologies. In contrast, Joyo Bank will focus on proposing solutions to local governments and related businesses aimed at addressing social challenges. They will also support the social implementation of new mobility services using community networks, while examining possibilities for participating in mobility-related services that contribute to regional revitalization.

Initiatives in Kasama City

1. Support for Data-Driven Regional Transportation Planning:
Will Smart will assist city officials in Kasama to visualize and analyze local population dynamics and transportation modes, thereby establishing a framework for them to develop, evaluate, and improve effective local public transportation plans.

2. Public Ride-Sharing Pilot with General Drivers:
A pilot program for public ride-sharing that involves participation from general drivers will be implemented by the end of 2025 to verify its effectiveness.

Future Developments

The initial steps will focus on building a data collection and analysis framework in Kasama City, preparing for the public ride-sharing pilot planned for 2025. Insights and knowledge gained from this project will serve as a model for collaboration between regional financial institutions and technology companies, possibly extending to other regions facing similar challenges nationwide.

Through this collaboration, the aim is to resolve fundamental societal issues faced by rural areas, such as eliminating transportation gaps, ensuring mobility for vulnerable populations like the elderly and students, and maintaining and revitalizing local communities. Ultimately, the goal is to promote urban development that allows everyone to live with peace of mind.

Company Profiles

About Will Smart

Will Smart leverages its experience and the latest solutions gained through dialogue with customer enterprises to address social challenges in the mobility industry through co-creation. They specialize in reducing or automating existing business operations using digital technology and have successfully supported various projects, including new developments in bus timetable integration systems and IoT devices for EV car-sharing, unmanned rental cars, and ridesharing. For more information, visit the Will Smart website.

• - Company Name: Will Smart Inc.
• - CEO: Yasuhiko Ishii
• - Established: December 12, 2012
• - Business Focus: Planning and proposing solutions using DX technology for challenges within the mobility industry.
• - Capital: 630 million yen (as of December 31, 2024)

About Joyo Bank

Based in Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture, Joyo Bank is a regional bank offering a wide range of financial products and services to both individuals and corporations. As a key member of the Mebuki Financial Group, Joyo Bank is committed to supporting local business growth and contributing to regional society through its community-focused initiatives. The bank actively engages in creating new business domains, sustainability projects, and addressing local transportation issues through open innovation.

• - Company Name: Joyo Bank Inc.
• - CEO: Tetsuya Akinobu
• - Established: July 30, 1935
• - Business Focus: Financial services including deposits, loans, currency exchange, asset management, and consulting, along with initiatives for local revitalization.
• - Capital: 85.1 billion yen