Tag - sharing-economy

 
 

SHARING ECONOMY

The transport ministry intends to partially allow ride-hailing business in some areas of Tokyo, Kyoto, Kanagawa and Aichi prefectures from April amid shortages of taxi drivers.
BUSINESS
Mar 14, 2024
Japan to allow private-driver ride-hailing services in four areas
Currently, ride-hailing apps such as Go and Uber only allow users in Japan to call registered taxis.
Nissan is planning an autonomous vehicle ride-share service for Japan with a 2027 launch date to address a lack of taxi drivers due to the nation’s aging population.
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 28, 2024
Nissan plans 2027 driverless ride-share service for aging Japan
Nissan will trial the service in Yokohama's Minato Mirai area, with 20 vehicles equipped with a safety monitor in each driver’s seat.
Uber Japan has started discussions with partner taxi companies aiming to introduce ride-sharing services.
BUSINESS
Jan 26, 2024
Uber Japan to launch limited ride-sharing services in April
Uber Japan's new services will only be available in areas and during times of the day deemed to face a shortage of taxis.
Police officers hold a traffic safety lesson for e-scooter users in December 2022 in Tokyo's Meguro Ward.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jan 24, 2024
E-scooter traffic violations rise fourfold in Japan
Reports of traffic violations totaled 1,879 in the month of December, a significant increase from the 405 cases reported in July of last year.
Ride-sharing apps (clockwise from bottom) Uber, Grab, Didi and Ola Cabs are seen on a smartphone display.
JAPAN / Society
Dec 20, 2023
Japan to partially lift ban on ride-hailing services from April
Drivers will be allowed to operate in specific areas at certain times under the guidance of taxi companies when there is a lack of rides available.
Tourists get into an Uber car in San Francisco. Japan plans to allow drivers with a standard license to offer taxi services using their own vehicle amid a shortage of taxi drivers.
BUSINESS
Dec 8, 2023
Japan to allow use of private cars as taxis under certain terms
People without a license to provide driver services will be able to do so as long as they undergo prior training and are directly employed by taxi firms.
Transport ministry officials hand out fliers to arriving international visitors warning against using unlicensed taxis at Narita Airport in Chiba Prefecture in early November.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Nov 18, 2023
Japan cracks down on illegal taxis as tourism boom drives demand
Japanese authorities are stepping up surveillance of unlicensed taxis at Narita Airport near Tokyo, as more tourists seek transport to the capital.
Tokyo-based Luup controls more than 90% of the country’s shared e-scooter market in terms of ride mileage.
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 13, 2023
E-scooter startup wins over Japanese regulators who confounded Uber
Tokyo-based Luup controls more than 90% of the country’s shared e-scooter market in terms of ride mileage, based on government-compiled data.
A poster for Uber displayed at a Tokyo subway station reads: "Meeting inbound demand together with Japan's taxis." It also notes that its service is used in 71 countries.
JAPAN / Society
Oct 26, 2023
Japan weighs allowing ride-hailing amid taxi industry opposition
The taxi industry is opposed to any change, arguing that allowing ride-hailing is just a temporary fix that will take jobs from taxi drivers.
A safety course for electric scooters offered in Tokyo in June
JAPAN / Explainer
Jul 21, 2023
Bike, scooter, taxi? Here are your options for nonrail transit in Japan
Here's a rundown on your options and how best to utilize them — whether your a tourist or long-time resident.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 26, 2023
Riders of electric kick scooters will not need driver's license from July
Concerns have been raised over an increase in riders who have not learned traffic rules at driving schools.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 21, 2022
Baby subscription boxes simplifying life for parents in Japan
Companies have created baby subscription boxes for everything from diapers and ready-to-eat baby food to educational toys and books so busy parents can save time and eliminate hassle.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 15, 2022
Joby teams up with airline ANA to bring flying taxis to Japan
Flying from Osaka Station to Kansai International Airport could take just 15 minutes based on plans laid out by flying-taxi startup Joby Aviation Inc. and ANA.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 27, 2021
Toyota to buy self-driving division of U.S. ride-hailing firm Lyft
The purchase via Toyota unit Woven Planet Holdings Inc. aims to accelerate the auto giant's development of autonomous driving technologies.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 18, 2021
Uber's U.K. driver benefits highlight broader gig-worker challenges
Uber has said it wants to expand limited benefits similar to those offered to drivers in the U.K. across all of Europe and the United States.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 27, 2021
SoftBank settles WeWork lawsuit; Adam Neumann exits with windfall
The pact announced Friday ends a legal fight over a stock transaction that collapsed and eliminates the need for a March 4 trial in the U.S.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 20, 2020
Airbnb files confidentially for IPO as travel begins to rebound
The company began seeing signs of recovery in June, with bookings down only 30 percent.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 19, 2020
SoftBank to dispatch executives to help stricken Oyo
Cuts in Japan by the online hotel operator come as it adapts to a much smaller tourism industry in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jul 22, 2020
WeWork set to lose major Japan tenant Rakuten, sources say
The e-commerce giant will let its contract run out in August without renewing, leaving about 700 desks empty in Tokyo.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jul 3, 2020
Uber finally makes it to Tokyo after six years in Japan
Uber is partnering with three local taxi operators, primarily in the cityu2019s central business district and the popular areas of Shinagawa, Akihabara and Asakusa.

Longform

A statue of "Dragon Ball" character Goku stands outside the offices of Bandai Namco in Tokyo. The figure is now as recognizable as such characters as Mickey Mouse and Spider-Man.
Akira Toriyama's gift to the world