LINE Messenger

LINE is a globally recognized instant messaging and communication platform that has evolved into a comprehensive digital ecosystem. Originally developed in Japan in 2011 by NHN Japan, a subsidiary of the South Korean company Naver, the app was created as a communication tool following the Tōhoku earthquake. Over the years, it has expanded to include social networking, digital commerce, gaming, and financial services.

Today, the ownership structure of LINE represents a significant partnership between South Korean and Japanese tech giants. The software is part of LY Corporation, which was formed through a major business merger. This parent company is controlled by A Holdings Corporation, a joint venture shared equally between Naver Corporation and SoftBank Group. While the app maintains its strongest user base in Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, and Indonesia, its technical development and servers are primarily managed and headquartered in Tokyo.

The app's growth is managed by LY Corporation, which oversees not only LINE but also Yahoo! Japan and other local services. This strategic alignment makes it one of the largest technology conglomerates in Asia, combining South Korea's software expertise with Japan's expansive market reach and business infrastructure.