The government has told U.S. company Uber Technologies Inc. to suspend a pilot project for its ride-sharing transportation business in the Fukuoka area, officials said.
The Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry believes that the smartphone application service — ordinary drivers using their own cars to carry people who need a ride — likely violates the Road Transportation Law prohibiting unlicensed taxi services.
The order is a fresh blow to Uber, whose ride-sharing functions are also under scrutiny in cities from Paris to Seoul.