TOKYO: Clubhouse, an audio-focused social medial app, is gradually gaining popularity in Japan as a tool to ease the sense of loneliness among those who have to spend more time at home amid the coronavirus crisis.

The invitation-only app, developed by a US startup, was released for Apple Inc.’s iPhone smartphones in April last year. 

Users can communicate with other members in chat rooms created for specific themes, such as business, culture, art and child-rearing. Visitors to a room can listen to conversations among members or take part if they are allowed to do so by the group’s moderator.

Clubhouse’s popularity has spread from young television personalities and information and technology entrepreneurs to ordinary people since late January, at a time when many people are finding it difficult to meet with friends under the fresh coronavirus state of emergency.

As the app is focused on audio communication forms, users have no need to type comments or dress up.

“The app is similar to radio as it can be used while doing something else, such as studying and drinking tea,” said Toshiyuki Yasui, professor at Eikei University of Hiroshima, which is to open in the city of Hiroshima in April.

Radio-like social media are expected to take root in a post-pandemic society where people will be working in a flexible fashion, he pointed out.

JIJI Press