Private drivers with their own vehicles can now be hailed for rides in Tokyo, marking the first time in Japan that ride-hailing has been put into practice after the system was introduced on April 1.
Unlike in other countries, however, private drivers need to be employed as part-timers at taxi companies, which are in charge of managing and training the drivers.
¡°(Japanese) taxis are valued as one of the best and safest services in the world,¡± said Ichiro Kawanabe, who heads the Tokyo Hire-Taxi Association, during a ceremony in Tokyo¡¯s Edogawa Ward to mark the introduction of private drivers on Monday.
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