Uber finally makes it to Tokyo after six years in Japan

After six years in Japan, Uber Technologies Inc. has finally come to Tokyo.

Starting Friday, users in the Japanese capital can hail taxis using the Uber app. Uber is partnering with three local taxi operators to make 600 cars available primarily in the city’s central business district and the popular areas of Shinagawa, Akihabara and Asakusa.

The U.S. company has done things a little differently in the world’s No 3. economy, which has strict regulations covering ride-sharing. The San Francisco-based company has focused on growing its food-delivery business, which now encompasses about 25,000 restaurants in 20 prefectures. For rides, it’s built partnerships with taxi companies in provincial cities, including the popular tourist destinations of Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima. In Tokyo, its offering had been limited to black-car hires till now.