Japan will ease restrictions on ride-hailing services during the 2025 World Exposition to be held in Osaka, the transport ministry said Thursday.
The ministry told the Osaka municipal and prefectural governments at a meeting that 24-hour operations will be allowed throughout the western prefecture to meet visitors’ demand for transport between April and October.
Trial services will begin as early as this month to see how many vehicles will be necessary, the ministry said.
The Japanese version of ride-hailing allows licensed taxi firms to have individuals use their personal vehicles to transport passengers for a fee in designated areas and time frames.
In Osaka Prefecture, up to 210 private vehicles have been operating in eight municipalities, such as the cities of Osaka and Sakai, during specified hours to make up for taxi shortages on Fridays and Saturdays since May.
Estimating that there will be a shortage of up to 1,880 taxis per day during the Expo, the prefectural and city governments have negotiated with the ministry to relax the restrictions since August.
The relaxation is “a big step forward,” Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura said. “We are keen to secure flexible transportation for both Osaka people and visitors to the Expo.”
