SoftBank and Sierra AI Customer Service in Japan Lifts Satisfaction from 74% to 93%

Soufun has announced a partnership with U.S.-based AI startup Sierra, securing exclusive rights to represent Sierra in the Japanese market. Earlier, Soufun integrated Sierra's intelligent customer service system into its online-only mobile brand LINEMO, yielding impressive results: the customer inquiry resolution rate climbed from 83% to 97%, while customer satisfaction scores improved from 74% to 93%.
The online brand was the first to benefit, and Sierra's valuation has since surpassed 100 billion yuan.
LINEMO, Soufun's digital-only mobile brand, operates without physical stores, relying on online chat and the LINE app for customer support. Consequently, the quality of its AI-powered customer service directly shapes user experience. Sierra, a conversational AI startup founded by Bret Taylor and Clay Bavor, is headquartered in the United States. In 2026, it raised $950 million in funding, achieving a post-money valuation of approximately $15.8 billion (about 107.255 billion yuan). Today, more than 40% of Fortune 500 companies use Sierra's AI software.
Scaling up still requires navigating compliance hurdles.
This collaboration is part of Soufun's "Activate AI for Society" initiative. Soufun is developing AI-powered call center solutions under this strategy and plans to offer them to more businesses across Japan. However, the company acknowledges that large-scale deployment must adhere to Japan's Act on the Protection of Personal Information and related regulations governing personal data handling and cross-border data transfers. In the telecommunications sector, customer communication data is subject to particularly stringent requirements. As a result, commercializing AI customer service in Japan demands a careful balance between technological innovation and data compliance.
Related article
DeepMind CEO Hassabis: I sleep six hours a day, usually feel energetic around 1 a.m.
Fortune recently featured an interview with Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, revealing his unconventional approach to rest and productivity. Hassabis disclosed that he sleeps very little, structuring his waking hours into two distinct work blo
OpenAI, Anthropic Vie for Market Share Despite Revenue Shortfalls
Despite recent reports suggesting OpenAI missed revenue targets, creating pressure on tech stocks this Tuesday, private AI lab investors remain resilient. Seasoned backers have confirmed they will not reduce investment despite negative media coverage
California AV Compliance: A New Era of Tickets, Geofences, and 1M Miles
Guident operates an AuveTech shuttle in South Florida, managing a four-mile route in West Palm Beach and a one-mile route in Boca Raton using its remote monitoring technology. | Credit: GuidentCalifornia is redefining the regulatory landscape for dri
Related Special Topic Recommendations
Comments (1)
0/500

Soufun has announced a partnership with U.S.-based AI startup Sierra, securing exclusive rights to represent Sierra in the Japanese market. Earlier, Soufun integrated Sierra's intelligent customer service system into its online-only mobile brand LINEMO, yielding impressive results: the customer inquiry resolution rate climbed from 83% to 97%, while customer satisfaction scores improved from 74% to 93%.
The online brand was the first to benefit, and Sierra's valuation has since surpassed 100 billion yuan.
LINEMO, Soufun's digital-only mobile brand, operates without physical stores, relying on online chat and the LINE app for customer support. Consequently, the quality of its AI-powered customer service directly shapes user experience. Sierra, a conversational AI startup founded by Bret Taylor and Clay Bavor, is headquartered in the United States. In 2026, it raised $950 million in funding, achieving a post-money valuation of approximately $15.8 billion (about 107.255 billion yuan). Today, more than 40% of Fortune 500 companies use Sierra's AI software.
Scaling up still requires navigating compliance hurdles.
This collaboration is part of Soufun's "Activate AI for Society" initiative. Soufun is developing AI-powered call center solutions under this strategy and plans to offer them to more businesses across Japan. However, the company acknowledges that large-scale deployment must adhere to Japan's Act on the Protection of Personal Information and related regulations governing personal data handling and cross-border data transfers. In the telecommunications sector, customer communication data is subject to particularly stringent requirements. As a result, commercializing AI customer service in Japan demands a careful balance between technological innovation and data compliance.
DeepMind CEO Hassabis: I sleep six hours a day, usually feel energetic around 1 a.m.
Fortune recently featured an interview with Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, revealing his unconventional approach to rest and productivity. Hassabis disclosed that he sleeps very little, structuring his waking hours into two distinct work blo
OpenAI, Anthropic Vie for Market Share Despite Revenue Shortfalls
Despite recent reports suggesting OpenAI missed revenue targets, creating pressure on tech stocks this Tuesday, private AI lab investors remain resilient. Seasoned backers have confirmed they will not reduce investment despite negative media coverage





Home






