Newmo

Newmo Inc. is a Japanese mobility company established on January 4, 2024, by Naoki Aoyagi, who previously headed the Japan business for Mercari. Aoyagi founded Newmo to address Japan's pressing transportation challenges, such as a shortage of drivers and dwindling mobility options in regional areas, an issue he personally encountered while traveling with his family. The company is headquartered in Tokyo and aims to revitalize local economies by enhancing transportation infrastructure.

Newmo operates on a multifaceted business model centered around both traditional taxi services and modern ride-sharing. The company has aggressively expanded its footprint by acquiring established taxi operators, including Kishi-ko and Miraito in Osaka, and now manages a fleet of over 600 taxis with more than 1,000 employees. This strategy allows Newmo to operate within the current regulatory framework for "Japan-style ride-sharing," which requires services to be managed by taxi companies. Revenue is generated from its taxi operations, the ride-sharing service, and a vehicle leasing program for drivers.

The core of its service is a mobile dispatch app, also named "newmo," which enables users to hail both taxis and ride-share vehicles, receive fare estimates, and handle payments seamlessly within the app. Initially launched in Osaka in late 2024, the service is slated for a nationwide rollout. To further support its driver community, Newmo established a subsidiary, "Rideshare Lease," which provides vehicles to drivers for a flat monthly fee, covering insurance, taxes, and maintenance. Looking ahead, Newmo has formed a strategic partnership with TIER IV to develop and commercialize autonomous robotaxi services, aiming for a launch in Osaka by 2027 to address long-term driver shortages.

Keywords: ride-sharing Japan, taxi dispatch app, Naoki Aoyagi, mobility service, transportation infrastructure, Japanese mobility startup, robotaxi Japan, vehicle leasing for drivers, regional transportation solutions, Osaka taxi service, Miraito acquisition, TIER IV partnership, autonomous vehicles, user-centric transport, local economy revitalization, sustainable transportation, mobility-as-a-service, Japan transport tech, last-mile transportation, smart mobility