China and Japan AI Apps: Doubao, Kimi, DeepSeek, LINE — 2026-10-31
ByteDance’s Doubao has expanded its enterprise ecosystem by opening its platform to third-party models like Kimi and DeepSeek, signaling a shift toward model aggregation. Meanwhile, in Japan, LINE Yahoo launched a new business operating system focused on AI-driven customer experience, as domestic generative AI usage surpassed 50% for the first time.
China and Japan AI Apps: Doubao, Kimi, DeepSeek, LINE — 2026-10-31
Top developments
Doubao Integrates Competing Models for Enterprise Users
On October 29, ByteDance’s Doubao Work service officially opened its platform to third-party large language models for enterprise clients. The initial batch of integrated models includes Moonshot AI’s Kimi 3.1 Pro, Zhipu AI’s GLM 5.3, and DeepSeek’s V4.1 Flash. This move allows team and enterprise subscribers to access multiple models within the Doubao interface, with usage costs deducted from their existing AI point balances.
LINE Yahoo Launches "Business OS" for AI-Driven CX
On October 27, LINE Yahoo held its "LINE Yahoo BIZ Conference 2026," where it announced the launch of the "LINE Yahoo Business OS." This new platform is designed to support businesses in the AI era by integrating customer experience (CX) and business operations (BX). The company aims to transition from simple connectivity to becoming a "business agent" for enterprises, leveraging its massive user base to streamline commercial interactions.
DeepSeek Founder Debuts on China’s Rich List
The founder of DeepSeek has appeared on China’s annual rich list for the first time, reflecting the massive valuation and cultural impact of the AI startup. The rise of DeepSeek has coincided with a surge in mega-wealthy individuals in China, driven largely by the tech and AI sectors. Despite its subculture-like following and rapid wealth creation, DeepSeek remains relatively hands-off in community management compared to competitors like Doubao and Kimi.
Local view
Japan: Generative AI Adoption Crosses 50% Threshold
According to a survey by the Japan Research Center, the percentage of Japanese consumers aged 20–69 who have used generative AI reached 56.3% in June 2026. This marks the first time adoption has exceeded 50% since the survey began in 2023. The data highlights a rapid mainstreaming of AI tools in daily life, with ChatGPT and Gemini remaining the most cited services, though local integrations like LINE are becoming increasingly relevant for commercial use.
China: Shift from Model Wars to Workflow Delivery
Industry analysis from Huxiu indicates that competition among Chinese AI giants is shifting from raw model capabilities to "computing power, cloud channels, and workflow delivery." As model performance converges, the battle is moving toward who can best integrate AI into existing business processes. This context explains Doubao’s recent move to aggregate third-party models, prioritizing ecosystem lock-in over exclusive model superiority.
Context & numbers
Token Prices and Usage Surge
A report from the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT) released in late October noted that token prices have risen significantly, doubling compared to the second half of last year. Simultaneously, daily token consumption has tripled, indicating a massive increase in active usage despite the price hikes. This suggests that demand for AI inference is outpacing supply or that enterprises are willing to pay a premium for higher-quality models.
Double 11 Shopping Integration
In China, consumers are increasingly using AI apps like Doubao and DeepSeek to optimize their Double 11 (Singles' Day) shopping strategies. Users are pasting shopping carts and complex discount rules into these apps to calculate the best combination of coupons and discounts, bypassing traditional manual calculations. This behavior highlights the transition of AI from a conversational tool to a practical utility for e-commerce.
On the radar
- Tencent’s Cloud Strategy: Tencent’s cloud division is reportedly taking a "long game" approach to patch its AI infrastructure, aiming to compete with AI-native firms like DeepSeek and Moonshot AI by leveraging its existing enterprise relationships.
- Kimi’s Agent Updates: Moonshot AI continues to update its Kimi models, with recent releases focusing on agent capabilities and long-context processing, maintaining its position as a key competitor in the enterprise and prosumer segments.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
Powered by
