Yahoo Japan Launches AI Chat Assistant for Mobile Search App

Tokyo, Japan - LINE Yahoo Inc. has integrated an AI assistant feature into its Yahoo Japan mobile application, enabling users to obtain information through chat-based interactions.

The feature allows users to ask questions in conversational language when they cannot formulate specific search keywords, functioning alongside the platform's traditional search capabilities.

Users can access the AI assistant by tapping an icon next to the search bar in the Yahoo Japan app, which requires iOS version 4.132.0 or later and Android version 3.187.0 or later.

The implementation follows LINE Yahoo's introduction of AI-generated answers in Yahoo Search results in October 2024, when the company first deployed the chat-based question feature. 

In January 2025, the firm added a direct-launch icon for the chat function on smartphone browsers.

"The chat screen displays seasonal and trending question examples to assist new users," LINE Yahoo said in its PR release, adding that future updates will include question suggestions tailored to individual user interests.

According to the company, possible queries include "How to make canned mackerel taste delicious?" and "What's a foolproof self-introduction to keep conversations flowing?"

The service's technology relies on Google Cloud's Vertex AI. 

Users must be at least 13 years old to access the feature, and a Yahoo Japan ID login is required for submitting free-form questions.

LINE Yahoo said it is working to extend the AI assistant capability to Yahoo Japan's PC and smartphone browser versions, though no specific timeline was provided.