NearMe

NearMe (株式会社NearMe, pronounced "ニアミー") is a Japanese mobility and social-design company headquartered in Nihonbashi Tomizawacho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo. Founded on 18 July 2017 by CEO Koichiro Takahara, the company describes itself as a "social design company" that aims to convert idle assets and latent resources — what it calls "mottainai" (wasteful) — into new value for people and regions. Its core business is real-time location information services delivered over the internet, with a focus on shared mobility. NearMe's flagship offering is an AI-based ride-sharing shuttle service, marketed under the NearMe / ニアミー brand. The service optimizes routes and matches passengers traveling in the same direction, enabling cheaper and smoother door-to-door transport. The company positions this as a potential "fourth mode of public transport" alongside trains, buses, and taxis. Its service portfolio spans airport transfers (NearMe.Airport), chartered hire cars and taxis, sightseeing and jumbo taxi charters, everyday shared taxis in urban areas, regional shuttle services for municipalities and companies, a LINE-based dispatch system for corporate clients, and chartered golf transfers. NearMe operates in multiple Japanese regions. Its shared taxi service is available in Tokyo, Osaka, Shizuoka, and Hokkaido, while sightseeing and chartered jumbo taxi services cover departures from Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara. The company collaborates with a broad set of partners including Japan Airlines, ANA Holdings, Tokyu Land Corporation, Mitsubishi Estate, Tokyo Tatemono, Mitsui Fudosan, Keikyu Corporation, JR East, Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance, JA Mitsui Leasing, Toyota Kyushu, and local governments such as Ota Ward in Tokyo, Niigata City, Nagaoka City, Nanjo City, and Myoko City. It also works with municipalities and companies on regional mobility challenges. NearMe is a private company with stated capital of 100 million yen. Its leadership team includes CEO Koichiro Takahara (formerly of Rakuten and SAP, and a University of Chicago Booth School of Business graduate), CTO Kenji Hosoda (formerly of S-cubism Technology, with a doctorate in engineering from the University of Tokyo), CFO Naoyuki Matsukura (formerly of Nomura Securities and Ajinomoto), and CMO Taiki Inoue (formerly of Hakuhodo). Outside directors include Takahito Aiki, president of Beisia, and outside auditor Tomohiro Okawa, a partner at Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu. The company also lists SmartShuttle Inc. as a related entity.

NearMe Inc. (株式会社NearMe) was established on 18 July 2017 in Tokyo, Japan, with stated capital of 100 million yen. The company was founded by Koichiro Takahara, who became its CEO. From the outset, NearMe framed itself as a "social design company" focused on real-time location information services and on solving social issues related to mobility. In June 2018, the company launched its taxi ride-sharing app "nearMe." This was followed in August 2019 by the airport shuttle service "nearMe.Airport," and in November 2019 by "nearMe.Golf," a shared-ride transfer service for golf courses. In May 2020, NearMe launched "nearMe.Commute," a commuting shuttle service. These services established the company's model of using AI to optimize routes and match passengers traveling in the same direction, making shared mobility more affordable and efficient. Over time, NearMe expanded its service portfolio beyond these initial offerings. It added chartered hire cars and taxis, sightseeing and chartered jumbo taxis, everyday shared taxis in urban areas, regional shuttle services for municipalities and companies, a LINE-based dispatch system for corporate clients, and chartered golf transfers. The company also broadened its geographic coverage: its shared taxi service operates in Tokyo, Osaka, Shizuoka, and Hokkaido, while sightseeing and chartered jumbo taxi services cover departures from Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara. NearMe has built a wide network of partners, including major corporations such as Japan Airlines, ANA Holdings, Tokyu Land Corporation, Mitsubishi Estate, Tokyo Tatemono, Mitsui Fudosan, Keikyu Corporation, JR East, Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance, JA Mitsui Leasing, and Toyota Kyushu, as well as local governments including Ota Ward in Tokyo, Niigata City, Nagaoka City, Nanjo City, and Myoko City. The company also lists SmartShuttle Inc. as a related entity. In its corporate philosophy, NearMe states its mission is to convert idle assets and latent resources — described as "mottainai" — into discoveries and future resources, thereby increasing the sense of ease and enjoyment of living for individuals and regions. The company aims to become the "fourth mode of public transport" after trains, buses, and taxis. Its leadership team combines experience from technology, finance, marketing, and consulting backgrounds, and the company continues to pursue demonstration projects and new services with municipalities and businesses across Japan.

• NearMe Inc. established in Tokyo, Japan.

• Taxi ride-sharing app "nearMe." launched.

• Airport shuttle service "nearMe.Airport" launched.

• Golf course shared-ride transfer service "nearMe.Golf" launched.

• Commuting shuttle service "nearMe.Commute" launched.

• Announced door-to-door transfer service connecting Aso Kumamoto Airport and Kikuchi City, starting September.

• Demonstration project for ride-sharing mobility support began for Kobe City regional club activity "Kobekatsu."

• Event-focused reservation site connecting live and sports spectators via ride-sharing opened.

A social design company aiming to become the "fourth mode of public transport" by using AI to make shared mobility affordable and smooth.

• NearMe / ニアミー

  AI-based ride-sharing shuttle service that optimizes routes and matches passengers traveling in the same direction.

• NearMe.Airport

  Door-to-door airport transfer shuttle service connecting homes/hotels with airports nationwide.

• Chartered hire cars and taxis

  Fixed-price chartered hire cars/taxis connecting homes/hotels with airports nationwide, seating up to 9 passengers.

• Sightseeing and chartered jumbo taxis

  Full-day charter or hourly free plans for sightseeing and business, seating up to 9 passengers, available from Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara.

• Shared taxis

  Ride-sharing taxis offering up to 50% off city taxi fares, free reservation, 24-hour operation, available in Tokyo, Osaka, Shizuoka, and Hokkaido.

• Regional shuttle service

  Reservation-based ride-sharing service that supplements public transport for regional and tourism mobility, developed with municipalities and companies.

• LINE dispatch system

  All-in-one package combining LINE and dispatch system for corporate clients to communicate with customers and dispatch vehicles efficiently.

• Chartered golf transfers

  Door-to-door shuttle service connecting golf courses with homes/accommodations, seating up to 4 passengers, with early morning and night golf support.

1. 1株式会社NearMe｜人と地域の豊かさを紡ぎ、未来を拓くnearme.jp
2. 2私たちについて │ 株式会社NearMe｜人と地域の豊かさを紡ぎ、未来を拓くnearme.jp
3. 3サービスnearme.jp
4. 4NearMe - Wikidatawikidata.org
5. 5NearMe - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org