DiDi Mobility Japan ends service in 11 prefectures

Ride-hailing app operator narrows its focus as coronavirus curbs taxi use

DiDi Mobility Japan will focus its ride-hailing service on fewer areas. © AP

MASASHI ISAWA, Nikkei staff writer

June 25, 2020 17:51 JST

TOKYO -- DiDi Mobility Japan is to cut back its service and try to trim losses by focusing on more profitable areas after use of taxis declined amid the spread of the new coronavirus.

The SoftBank-backed operator of the taxi hailing mobile app DiDi said it will halt service in 11 Japanese prefectures from July 1. The service will also be terminated in the city of Furano and the town of Biei, both in Hokkaido, and the city of Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture.