Japan’s First Ridesharing Service Has Started In Tokyo

On 8 April, regular drivers for the first time in Japan were able to use their own vehicles to give rides to customers.

This is the first time ridesharing has been allowed in Japan despite most industrialised countries having had access to companies such as Uber and Lyft for the better part of a decade, or more.

Japan’s ridesharing service, however, is run in collaboration with existing taxi companies who hire the drivers and provide them professional training before they can begin offering rides.

The ridesharing program is administered by the Tokyo Hire-Taxi Association and for now operates in Tokyo’s 23 special wards – the most dense part of the city including Shibuya and Shinjuku – as well as the inner-suburban areas of Musashino and Mitaka.

Ridesharing drivers are permitted to offer their services on particular days and times that have been determined as most in need of additional taxis.

30 other areas across the country are also allowed to now establish ridesharing services and most are expected to begin by the end of April.

The next phase of the ridesharing rollout is the ban expiring in eight additional cities, including Sapporo.

Image:
Raita Futo

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