Japan to Expand 'Private Car Ride Sharing' Nationwide Within This Year

The Japanese government announced that it plans to expand the private car ride-sharing service, first introduced in April, nationwide within this year, according to local public broadcaster NHK.

Ride-sharing service to start in Japan in April. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 4th (local time), Tetsuo Saito, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, stated at a meeting on ride-sharing measures, "The Japanese version of ride-sharing needs to be spread not only in cities but also nationwide, including rural areas," adding, "Please aim to introduce it in all prefectures by the end of the year."

In April, the Japanese government launched a ride-sharing service in Tokyo and Kyoto, where private car drivers provide paid transportation services, to address difficulties in using taxis and buses due to driver shortages. Unlike other countries, for safety reasons, general drivers provide transportation services as employees of taxi companies.

At the meeting, a policy to review operational rules was proposed to promote adoption in rural areas. Currently, passengers basically use the service by confirming departure, destination, and fare through a dispatch application, but in the future, in areas where the application is not widespread, other methods such as phone calls will also be allowed.

In rural areas, operating hours are limited from 4 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays until 5 a.m. the next day, and the number of vehicles is capped. However, these requirements will be relaxed going forward.