- Business
- Ekitan & Co., Ltd. (3646.T) provides internet-based information services focused on mobility support and advertising distribution platforms in Japan. Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Tokyo's Chiyoda-ku, the company operates primarily through its consumer business, offering transit information and timetable search services via EKITAN.com websites and smartphone apps; station search services; section-style timetables for trains and buses; regional content including sightseeing, hotels, dining, real estate, and living-related facilities; and welfare services for individuals and memberships; and its corporate business, providing transit guide APIs, route planning APIs, cloud-based route and fare search for expense settlement, discounted ticket booking solutions, station/line/train data sales, MaaS solutions addressing regional mobility, transportation, and tourism challenges, advertising with station and route targeting, ticket and leisure reservations, data provision, functional linkages, and customer referrals; as well as software planning, design, development, production, sales, information surveys, processing, and consulting services. The company serves consumers seeking transportation and regional information, corporations for API integrations and expense management, municipalities, transportation operators, and local businesses nationwide, with subsidiaries including Neo Inc., Cirqua Inc., Proud Engine Inc., Growth and Communications Co., Ltd., Cybernet Co., Ltd., and Information Technology Japan Co., Ltd. Recent developments include the full acquisition of Neo Inc. to integrate its SNS campaign tool "Atatter" into the Regional Marketing Platform (RMP) for enhanced solutions targeting municipalities and local entities; a business tie-up with RSP MICHINOEKI CO., LTD. to develop Michinoeki roadside station portals, multi-language inbound tourist apps, and collaborative regional revitalization efforts; launch of "MaaS Standard by Ekitan & SAVS" integrating Ekitan MaaS with Mirai Share Co.'s AI vehicle assignment service; participation in the "at-YOKOHAMA" renewal project providing MaaS route search for Yokohama sightseeing; and involvement in Hidaka Town's "Suko-Bus" on-demand transportation demonstration using LINE reservations; alongside planned app renewals in March 2025 featuring audio ads, AI dialogue, and AR information, content enhancements adding nearly one million regional items, and ongoing RMP media expansions driving ad sales growth.