Transport ministry considering fixed-fare unlimited taxi services

Who's going to drive the taxi drivers, her in Kobe the majority look over 75.

Current taxi fares are calculated based on distance and time under the Road Transportation Law.

What year is this?

What sense does it make for central govt to set prices?

A fresh idea indeed. Don't know if it would be cheaper and feasible but I like the idea.

With livery car license plates

What sense does it make for central govt to set prices?

The industries of strong public nature need government permission to change prices.  In US, the rent is controlled by the government, at least for the apts I lived in.

knock knock.

Who's there?

Uber.

Uber? Get out!

Still confused about Uber are they reservation only? Most cabs I catch are from the curb and those in Japan are great.

Still confused about Uber are they reservation only?

Yes, like livery cars, they can only be hailed from their system (app, website). They are not allowed to be hailed from the curb - only taxis are allowed to do that.

Wouldnt be surprised if the J Govt bans all unlicensed Cab's. However the fixed fare scheme would make sense for regular users. For example, I used to travel to work every day at the same time, along the same route by Taxi. Each Cab company produced a different fare for that Journey. The most predictable and less expensive were the black taxis, as too the White cabs, the least reliable and most expensive were the blue ones, followed by the green and yellow cabs - the latter I'd stay clear of as during the night ex-low life Yakuza drive them.