Image Credits : Japan Insides
Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism is planning to introduce a new policy allowing ride-hailing services to operate during natural disasters, in response to increasing concerns over taxi shortages in times of crisis. The move, which could be greenlit by the end of the year, aims to address transportation gaps in urban and rural areas when taxis are overwhelmed or unavailable during emergencies.
This decision comes amid heightened awareness of the challenges faced during disasters such as earthquakes, typhoons, and floods when traditional public transport systems and taxis are often unable to meet demand. By permitting ride-hailing services to step in during such times, the government hopes to ensure that more residents can evacuate or access critical services like hospitals.
Japan has experienced several natural disasters in recent years that have exposed vulnerabilities in its transportation infrastructure. For instance, during the 2019 Typhoon Hagibis, heavy flooding and widespread damage left many areas without adequate public transport, causing significant delays in evacuations and relief efforts. Taxis, which are often relied upon in emergencies, were either unavailable or stretched to their limits, exacerbating the crisis.
By tapping into ride-hailing services, which are widely used in other parts of the world but face stringent regulations in Japan, the ministry is aiming to expand the range of available transportation options during emergencies. Ride-hailing services, such as those operated by Uber and local companies, could play a key role in filling the gap when the demand for transport far exceeds supply.
To implement this policy, the ministry plans to test a pilot program in selected regions prone to disasters, including coastal areas vulnerable to typhoons and regions near active fault lines. Under the proposed system, ride-hailing services would be permitted to operate only during officially declared emergencies and must comply with safety regulations to ensure the protection of passengers and drivers.