Unlicensed cabs swarm Tokyo amid rebound in foreign tourists

'White taxis' snap up customers ahead of Japan's easing of ride-hailing rules

20240221N Shirotaku crackdown

Police investigators distribute leaflets about illegal ride-hailing operations at Tokyo's Haneda Airport. The driver's face has been blurred to preserve privacy. (Photo by Nanami Sato)

JINO ASANO, REI KOBAYASHI and REO NAITO, Nikkei staff writers

TOKYO -- With Japan set to allow ride-hailing services on a limited basis from April, the country is cracking down on unauthorized operators who target foreign visitors accustomed to services like Uber.

Around 9 a.m. on Feb. 8, a van with a white license plate pulled up in front of Terminal 3 at Haneda Airport in Tokyo. A family got out and headed to the lobby with suitcases in hand.

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