crime

Japan's 1st unlicensed tuk-tuk taxi case referred to prosecutors

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I can't believe how stupid his was. A Tuk-tuk sticks out like a sore thumb.

13 ( +13 / -0 )

charging 6,500 yen for a 30-minute tour of local sightseeing spots

"taxi service"? No, that's a tour guide service. Someone please tell this to the prosecutors and judge.

20 ( +21 / -1 )

The allegation came to light last July when police while investigating a separate case, spotted the tuk-tuk transporting passengers. Seems more like a cover up for the company or owner that ratted this business out.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

4M divided by 6,500 = 615 trips.

No one noticed an unusual unlicenced TukTuk on the road in over 600+ 30 minute trips. . . . . . . .

13 ( +13 / -0 )

InspectorGadget

4M divided by 6,500 = 615 trips.

No one noticed an unusual unlicenced TukTuk on the road in over 600+ 30 minute trips. . . . . . . .

My thought exactly. Sounds a lot like not paying the required fee to the proper hands.

16 ( +16 / -0 )

I saw this guy around Yokohama a few times last year, as his pristine shiny Thai tuk-tuk is not inconspicuous on the grey streets of Japan. He was clearly doing a tour guide service, not unlike the rickshaw guys in Asakusa or Kamakura. Whether he had the proper license I don't know.

11 ( +11 / -0 )

No, that's a tour guide service.

Sounds like the tuk tuk was on (white? yellow?) private plates, rather than (green? black?) commercial plates.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

216 yen a minute, neither a taxi or tour guide, more akin to highway robbery.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

@Zoroto

Is this man a foreigner by any chance?

You would know if he was a foreigner.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

I saw tuk-tuks in Afghanistan and Lagos. Thanks Abe/Aso for transforming japan into a ??? World country.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

If he signed on with Uber or Lyft he would be untouchable, lol.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

He tuk too much business from the greedy taxi and tour companies but it tuk them a while to get him.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Many classic Thai tuk tuks are modified three-wheeler delivery vans originally made by Mazda and Daihatsu.

It sounds like they've got him for running a private white plate taxi. He needs to have a type 2 driving license too for paying passengers. The gray he could have exploited would be claiming the journey was unpaid shuttling, and what people were paying for was "consulting" or "guiding" at the destination. Hotels etc. can give you a lift in a regular car, but they are not allowed to charge for it.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Yes, tuk tuks are dangerous and complicated to operate, like Boeing 787's and Airbus 321's and tuk tuk pilots need to be licensed.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

They scare the hell out of me, a K-car with any monicom of safety removed. But I do applaud the vivacious Buisness idea.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

There are powers that be in this country which will never stand for competition such as Uber, AirBnB, etc...

1 ( +2 / -1 )

LOL. It was not a secret for anyone. I remember him offering me a ride back in 2019 in the front of Brickhouse in Octoberfest.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

216 yen a minute, neither a taxi or tour guide, more akin to highway robbery.

He charges what customers are willing to pay, and, at 4 million yen, hardly getting rich. Are you suggesting he should starve?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

commanteer, I am clearly suggesting 216 yen minute is robbery.

And a clear reason why tour guides and taxis need to be regulated to protect customer not only from be fleeced and ripped off, but also for their own personal welfare and safety.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Oh please, commanteer, on my frequent business trips to Nagoya, I can order a air conditioned taxi to ferry me in heavy traffic from my Nagoya apartment to the Airport, average 45 minute trip for 52 yen per minute.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Oh please, commanteer, on my frequent business trips to Nagoya, I can order a air conditioned taxi to ferry me in heavy traffic from my Nagoya apartment to the Airport, average 45 minute trip for 52 yen per minute.

First off, nobody is going to mistake a tuk-tuk tour guide for a taxi. Riding a tuk-tuk is an unusual experience in Japan, and 6500 yen for than and a tour is not unreasonable.

Secondly, 2340 yen for a 45 minute trip is on the cheap side. Your poor taxi driver will be lucky to keep a roof over his head on that kind of money.

Nobody is getting ripped off here, which is the point. People decide for themselves whether the trip is worth paying for. If they don't like it, they can go find a cheaper tuk-tuk tour. Or sit in a boring taxi. This guy found a way to make a modest living, and shows more initiative than most people. And now he is being punished for it, as is so often the case in this country.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

He probably just cant get a license for the tuk tuk but he seems to be operating an otherwise legit tour service

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Great to see the J-Cops making Japan safe!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

commanteer.....

"Japan's 1st unlicensed tuk-tuk taxi case referred to prosecutors"

To carry fee paying passengers/customers, the vehicle and driver first and foremost has to be "licensed".

That is to follow stringent roadworthy safety checks, the driver under go continuous health and eyesight tests and most importantly carry the correct transportation insurance.

The Tokyo rate is I believe, a starting fare of 410 yen for the first kilometer and 80 yen added for every 237 meters.

Call yourself whatever you wish but if you are carry fee paying customer you classed as a taxi.

That the message from my local Koban insists, no exceptions to this rule, and thing else is a “shirotaku”, no matter how may wheels.

Nagoya Taxis have a set rate, cheap or otherwise.

These unsuspecting tourists are being robbed by a greedy, alleged "unlicensed" masquerading as a tourist guide.

Luckily his chancer had his collar felt before some poor unsuspecting family, whilst passing Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse were sent screaming in terror as one of the back wheels parted company and overtook the single wheel in front.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I saw that and the driver a few times. Quite cute.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

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