7 months ago
Uber Expands in Rural Japan
Uber, a big ride-sharing company, is trying to grow in Japan, especially in smaller towns.
Japan has strict rules, but recently, some areas like Kaga have allowed Uber to operate.
The town of Kaga has fewer people and more elderly residents who need transportation.
Uber hopes to help by providing more ride options.
The CEO of Uber, Dara Khosrowshahi, visited Kaga to see how the service is working.
The town's mayor and some residents are happy with Uber, but many older people are not used to using smartphone apps.
Uber and local officials are working to teach people how to use the service.
Uber has started operating in rural areas of Japan, such as Kaga, due to recent deregulation.
The service aims to address transportation needs in declining rural populations with fewer drivers.
Uber's CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, visited Kaga to assess the service's progress.
Local officials and Uber are working to educate residents, especially the elderly, on using the app.
Monthly rides in Kaga have increased from 100 to 300 since Uber's launch.
- Who
- Uber and its CEO Dara Khosrowshahi
- What
- Expansion of Uber's ride-sharing service in rural Japan
- Where
- Kaga, Japan, and other rural areas
- When
- Started operations in 2024
- Why
- To address transportation needs in declining rural populations
Key facts
- Company
- Uber
- Location
- Kaga, Japan
- Population
- 60,000
- Initial Monthly Rides
- 100
- Current Monthly Rides
- 300
- Year of Operation Start
- 2024
- CEO
- Dara Khosrowshahi
Quotes
Dara Khosrowshahi
CEO of Uber
“In Japan, the promise of growth is huge. Breaking in here — it has been a challenge. It’s a very particular market. Still, over the past year or so, we’ve seen more and more deregulation that has allowed Uber to expand.”
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“Our business in Japan is different from anywhere else in the world. I’m by nature an impatient person, but Japan is forcing me to be patient. The key here has been compromise.”
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Toshiaki Yamada
Mayor of Kaga
“When it comes to public transport, we have a very serious issue. Uber has offered relief, he said, adding that local users describe the service as very convenient.”
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“I was born in Kaga, have worked in Kaga and will probably die in Kaga. I would have never imagined the chief executive of Uber would show up here.”
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Setsuko Yamada
Resident of Kaga
“No. I’m 85.”
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