OYO enters Japan with housing rental service

Continuing with its global expansion, OYO has launched its operations in Japan with a housing rental service targeting Japanese students and young professionals.

The service, called OYO Life, will be made available from the starting of next month. It will be provided by OYO Technology & Hospitality Company, Japan, the joint venture entity between OYO and Yahoo Japan Corporation. Hiro Katsuse, former Japan market leader for Handy and Booking.com, has been hired as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the joint venture.

Ritesh Agarwal, CEO and Founder, OYO Hotels and Homes, said, "After successfully growing our business in our home markets, India and China, and expanding our presence to nine countries, we are really excited about commencing our operations in our third and potentially the largest home market - Japan. This new entity will be focused on creating unique living experiences for the Japanese citizens, students, and young professionals, looking for good quality affordable accommodations, starting with our fully managed homes brand, OYO LIFE."

Kentaro Kawabe, CEO of Yahoo! Japan, stated, "We are really happy to partner with OYO, through this joint venture and are certain to deliver good quality fully managed homes at affordable prices. With our local know-how, online distribution network and marketing support, OYO LIFE will soon emerge as the most preferred abode for the Japanese citizens and visitors in the country."