Uber's Failure in Japan

1) People don't drive

In US everyone drives, in fact you need one. But you see none of my friends in Japan own a car. The only people who owns one are people that are well offed. This is because owning a car in Japan is expensive (there is thing called 車検), a hassle (no parking), and getting a driver's license is long and hard. Supply is low.

2) Cash

In Japan most people still carry cash. Their preferred method of payments (in order) are: cash, Suica (debit card for train), and then credit card tied with NFC in phone that charges your phone bill. So Taxis are more convenient than Uber.

3) Part-time jobs are everywhere

You see it's very easy to get a part-time jobs. In fact most college students are doing it all the time. In US Uber looks attractive "I can drive and make money!", but in Japan it is "I just have to go to that place that dispatch part-time jobs and will make money".

4) Zoning

This is a bit similar to what the article talks about but in a different perspective. Don't forget that Japan fits in California. Each city have its own law and you need to pay a lot for each zone. My family operates in one district and have 2 competitors. Other district have its own. Each city have its own market and demand. You can't even pilot in a small region because if you drive 15 minutes you are already in another district, which you are not allowed to pickup. These zoning are strict, and japanese people know about it. It existed from the day yakuza used it as protection fees.

5) Anybody can be a taxi driver

You see its not hard to be a taxi driver if you really want to be one. These are called 個人タクシー and can operate on your own.

“The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.”

For me, taxi driving was a game: "I wonder who I'm going to meet today..." One of my passengers had been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. He didn't win - I picked him up at the homeless shelter. He was going to work, and was almost back on his feet...

Sometimes passengers remembered me.

Sometimes passengers provided the rest of the story for things I'd been wondering about, or confirmed 'tall tales'. Like the bartender who confirmed that the visiting NBA basketball players really did come into his bar that night... Months before, the other night driver on our little team had said, "YOU'LL NEVER GUESS WHO WAS IN THE CAB LAST NIGHT!"

> and society for sure doesn't make them feel respected. Respect seems to be much tighter coupled to monetary success and I can't say I'm free from that.

Plenty of my passengers let me know that they appreciated us.

Taxi driving has traditionally been a rough occupation. Drivers used to carry a lot of cash, and were seen as targets for thugs who were desperate for money. Cash isn't as common as it used to be, so taxi drivers don't have to project as much "toughness" as they used to.

I was always looking for a bigger picture, so I guess my experiences in the cab reflect that.

Where countries like Japan who do not have a medallion system really, there is not much to drive prices up for taxi fares for Uber and like to undercut to be successful.

A good taxi and transit system isnt everything... I live near YVR, we have taxis lined up at YVR for convenience. You are also paying way more cause first, the taxi medallions are so expensive... Then there additional fees for being licensed to do pickups at YVR in the designated area.

Everyone I know who commutes via taxi or transit wishes Uber types were here (banned).

Especially when u fly to DFW and the only options for a taxi is a broken minivan 20 mins later.

And then Uber being less than half and a lot quicker.

Convenience and cost. If Japan has those covered, then no reason for a Uber type to be operating there