MaaS Global’s Whim mobility platform is to debut in Japan under a new partnership with real estate company Mitsui Fudosan.

The partnership will look to make the Whim service available in Japan later this year

First launched in MaaS Global’s home market of Helsinki in November 2017 and now present in areas including Belgium and the UK, the Whim platform enables users to subscribe to the app on a monthly package, giving them access to a single mobile service that combines travel options from different transport providers. This covers everything from taxis to public transport, car services or bike sharing for both professional or personal usage.

Under the new strategic partnership, Mitsui Fudosan has invested in MaaS Global, seeking a speedy product launch in Japan later in 2019. The parties plan to collaborate with local transport service providers (TSPs) and to conduct a proof of concept in the Greater Tokyo area in 2019 and seek to accelerate collaborative relationships.

“With its long history in urban development in Japan, we are extremely pleased to have Mitsui Fudosan on board as our investor and strategic partner in Japan. Our partnership enables us to continue employing our Real Estate x MaaS vision: the next evolution phase to combine living and mobility,” MaaS Global CEO Sampo Hietanen said. “Mitsui Fudosan is a very strong partner for us to expand the MaaS model in different phases of actual implementation and launch in Japan, which we look forward to taking place later in 2019.”