From messaging to outsourcing to innovation, Japan and Ukraine envision growing tech ties

By Denys Krasnikov / July 30, 2019

Almost every Ukrainian is using something Japanese — at least, almost every Ukrainian with a smartphone. That’s because 97% of smartphone owners here, or about 40 million people, use the messaging app Viber, which is owned by Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten.

Since Ratuken purchased Viber from its Israeli founder in 2014, the app’s popularity in Ukraine has grown by leaps and bounds.

Viber might be the most well-known Japanese tech product in Ukraine, and it could help to break the ice for Japan and Ukraine to cooperate in the tech industry.

Topics: Uncategorized

About

Denys Krasnikov

Denys Krasnikov is a Kyiv Post IT reporter. He studied journalism in Zaporizhia National University. Denys can be reached at krasnikov[at]kyivpost.com.

http://www.kyivpost.com

About

The Kyiv Post

Launched in 1995, Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s leading English-language newspaper, produced by a team of Western and Ukrainian journalists. Over the years, the weekly newspaper has led the charge for a free press in Ukraine, and has played roles in the Georgiy Gongadze scandal, the Orange Revolution and other significant Ukrainian events. The Kyiv Post’s IT coverage is sponsored by Looksery, Ciklum, Steltec Capital and SoftServe. The content is independent of the donors.

http://www.kyivpost.com/