Many taxi companies have started offering new services targeting pregnant women, children and the elderly to offset declining demand from their traditional customers as the economy stagnates.

Tokyo's leading taxi company, Nihon Kotsu Co., began an around-the-clock hospital service in May for women in labor.

The service, which is available in the 23 wards and the cities of Musashino and Mitaka in west Tokyo, allows Nihon Kotsu to respond promptly to labor calls by booking the name of the customer's chosen hospital and her due date and phone number in advance.