Uber Japan set to launch ride-hailing service amid taxi driver shortage

Image credit: Uber

Uber Japan has announced the start of its ride-hailing services starting today, utilising personal vehicles for paid transportation.

The initiative is part of a strategy to address the shortfall of taxi drivers in major urban locales and popular tourist areas across Japan.

Following a relaxation of regulations by the Japanese government, ride-hailing operations will now be permitted within designated zones in Tokyo, Kyoto, Kanagawa, and Aichi prefectures. These services must be managed under licensed taxi firms, with pre-booked rides specifying pickup and drop-off locations as well as agreed fares. The service is tailored to operate during periods when it is typically difficult to find available taxis.

Partnering with local taxi companies, Uber Japan will facilitate connections between drivers and customers, starting with several dozen vehicles, with plans to expand the fleet over time.

The move aligns with a broader policy shift that may see further regional expansions post-May, as areas eligible for ride-hailing grow. In an effort to cater to international visitors, the Uber app will support 50 languages.

Major taxi provider Nihon Kotsu among others is also launching similar services within Tokyo's 23 special wards and the cities of Musashino and Mitaka. These rides will charge standard taxi rates and mostly feature cashless payments. Eligibility for drivers includes a clean driving record for the past two years, and Class 2 driver’s licence typically required for transporting passengers.

The taxi operators will also take on the responsibility of offering safety training and maintaining the vehicles.

Further expansions are slated for eight districts within the metropolitan zones of Sapporo, Sendai, Saitama, Chiba, Osaka, Kobe, Hiroshima, and Fukuoka starting in May.