Japan's affordable gyms plan to expand into China and Taiwan

TOKYO -- Rizap Group, a Japanese fitness club operator, is expanding its "convenience gym" business to China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, and offers additional services, including nail printing, laundry and even karaoke.

Rizap's chocoZAP is a chain of unattended fitness facilities that offer unlimited use of training machines 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for about 3,000 yen ($19) per month -- considerably cheaper than competitors charging between 7,000 and 14,000 yen.