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Uber's Failure in Japan

disruptingjapan.com

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Re: Uber's Failure in Japan

#81

Post by IkmoIkmo »

TuringNYC wrote: post #72
pnathan wrote: post #24

The advantage of Uber has nothing to do with price and everything to do with grotesque incompetence on the part of the taxi operators. Five-six years ago, when I asked for a receipt for an expense report, I got a hand-scribbled note. Running credit cards often required hand-based crank mechanisms. Autoplaying TV on the back of a seat that was billed unless you explicitly opted out. It was, in short, a scammy operatio…

Totally agreed. I am on a business deal that brought me to the country of Qatar. Many of the yellow cabs here (blue over here) refused to turn on their meters instead trying to negotiate a fare with you -- often starting at 2x or 3x the actual fare and trying to see how much upside they could keep. They would be nice initially and then try to arm-twist you at the end of the ride. Uber arrived and caught on like wildf…

I mean it really depends... like in Morocco this never happens, unless you look foreign. All taxis have a number on the top of the car, so you can just easily report it. And the penalties for drivers are actually quite harsh, even just referring to 'I know the taxi number' means he's shutting up, turning on the meter and getting you to where you need.

You can still have a shitty experience, but for locals it's mostly fine. I doubt Uber will take off there in any big way. I'm wondering if that's the same way for Qatari locals, or if there was another reason for Uber to catch on.

Re: Uber's Failure in Japan

#82

Post by mahranch »

m_mueller wrote: post #80
madeofpalk wrote: post #73

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Which, for what it's worth, how a lot of the world outside of the US operates. Taxis are rubbish in Australia, but you also aren't expected to tip.

Tips are the most confusing thing by far about the US for me as a European.

One of my best friends is from a country without tipping. He's well-traveled and has something like 20+ stamps in his passport. He says he loves tipping. I was a little curious so I asked him why, he said in countries without tipping, service is shit. Moreover, the demeanor of everyone involved is shit. He said "you Americans don't know how good you have it". I guess even someone fake being nice to you in expectation of a tip is better than being treated like dirt because you disrupted someone's cigarette break in Paris.

He said the only exception to this is Japan. He says they have, hands down, the best service in the world. Whether you're in a family owned shop out in a rural area or some upscale joint in Roppongi, the people there actually care if you've enjoyed your food (and will nearly be offended if you try and tip them).

Thought his opinion was a bit odd, but I think it might be valid considering his experience and the fact that he's not a naive, anti-establishment 20-something. He's fairly pragmatic and a realist.

Re: Uber's Failure in Japan

#83

Post by digi_owl »

lathiat wrote: post #11
blisse wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Really? I find that most people think it's the other way around, that Uber and AirBnB represent the democratic will of the people, challenging broken systems that the people do not endorse now that a better idea is available. At least, that's how it looks over in USA/Canada.

feels that way as an Australian, also. We probably have a worse relationship with our government than the USA.

Now i find myself wondering if the attitudes towards government has to do with the judiciary.

Meaning that common law nations may have a more adversarial attitude towards government because judicial rulings carry much more weight.

Re: Uber's Failure in Japan

#84

Post by achikin »

pnathan wrote: post #24

The advantage of Uber has nothing to do with price and everything to do with grotesque incompetence on the part of the taxi operators. Five-six years ago, when I asked for a receipt for an expense report, I got a hand-scribbled note. Running credit cards often required hand-based crank mechanisms. Autoplaying TV on the back of a seat that was billed unless you explicitly opted out. It was, in short, a scammy operatio…

In Russia, such kind of services started way before Uber just as the next step in the evolution of taxi companies, benefitting from the same things as Uber did: no regulations, no taxes etc. The first apps were targeting JavaMe phones! So, from the Russian perspective, Uber is just another competitor in the flooded market. We were actually surprised that Uber is treated as an innovative startup in the USA.

Re: Uber's Failure in Japan

#85

Post by hunvreus »

If you're interested in this topic, I'd recommend this great explanation of why Uber lost to Didi in China: https://www.quora.com/How-did-Didi-beat-Uber-in-China/answer...

There are ultimately many reasons why US startups fail in some Asian markets (including China and Japan), and it can't be reduced to cultural differences or protective regulations.

Re: Uber's Failure in Japan

#86

Post by mahranch »

jjawssd wrote: post #75
Spooky23 wrote: post #9

Sounds like Uber's failure in Japan is related to a reasonably honest and effective government. The biggest failure of Uber that I'm familiar with of is ex-NYC New York, and that's essentially because the Feds are tapping every politician's phone at the moment[1], and it's difficult for their lobbyists to do whatever they do to "influence" outcomes. [1][ http://nypost.com/2015/05/04/state-majority-leader-dean-skel...…

"honest and effective government" Dream on. The Yakuza simply have not been paid off.

What is this, 1982?

Japan's Yakuza hasn't been a thing since the U.S mafia was a thing. They have similar political influence these days; little to none. They've either all gone legit, gone into grey area markets (pachinko, porn, etc) or flat out folded. Many have actually gone white-collar, getting into internet start-ups and investing in the stock market.

See here, "Where Have Japan's Yakuza Gone?": http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/03/09/where-have-...

Japan has cracked down on the Yakuza governmental/political corruption so much so, that it doesn't exist anymore.

Don't get me wrong, the yakuza exists, sorta, but not in the same way they existed back in the 1970s or 80s when they ran the show. Things have changed dramatically since.

Re: Uber's Failure in Japan

#87

Post by mediumdeviation »

dzhiurgis wrote: post #63
greggman wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I feel your pain. That's what taxi service has been like for me in SF and LA. Also it was effectively non-existent except for calling to be taken to the airport because there were so few. Japan, or at least the populated parts generally have tons of taxis so they are easy to find. They are polite and very clean, one thing western cabs are not. If they do something wrong (go the wrong way, end up taking the wrong road…

Worth mentioning that in Singapore taxi's have special stops where people queue up just to get into one (much like a bus stop). I wonder how Uber drivers get away stoping everywhere they feel like. It is somewhat of a traffic disruption.

The taxi stops are there simply for the convenience of drivers and people looking for taxis. Taxis can still stop and pick up passengers anywhere cars are allowed to stop (double yellow line).

Re: Uber's Failure in Japan

#88

Post by mixedCase »

walshemj wrote: post #76
dionidium wrote: post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"I had to use a taxi in St Louis, MO last summer. In order to do this I had to call the taxi company. No app, no website, nothing. It took 45 minutes to show up, period. The driver couldn't find me when he got near. " This is almost all true and ride-sharing has totally changed the game in St. Louis. One nitpick: the area's biggest cab company has had an app for a few years [0]. It's not a perfect app, but I used it…

Is calling rather then messing about with an app so much harder? It takes me 20-30 seconds to call and order a cab in the UK

While I don't know about this particular app, some taxi apps track the unit by GPS and show you where it's currently located, which lets you know wether the wait was warranted or not.

Re: Uber's Failure in Japan

#89

Post by yummyfajitas »

kizza wrote: post #43
yummyfajitas wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think in many countries the freedom to engage in gay sex is seen to be a challenge to the democratic will of the people. It should be no surprise that we don't care very much for this! Those of us who are less democratic and more individualistic recognize how horrible it is when democracy prevents consenting adults from engaging in harmless private activities. The tyranny of the majority is still tyranny. Also, "de…

One is a harmless private activity - the other is a large company gaining an unfair advantage by choosing to ignore the law. Even though they are are both about freedom I think it's impossible to compare these.

The other is also a harmless private activity. No one is harmed when I ride an Uber to my destination.

You might claim the taxi driver is harmed by me not using him, but then I might also claim that a woman who might marry the bi fellow is harmed by him being unavailable.

Also, if you want to talk about things like safety regulations for taxis/Ubers, keep in mind that gay (specifically MSM, lesbians are safe of course) sex is actually super dangerous: https://www.chrisstucchio.com/blog/2016/are_gays_or_guns_mor...

So if safety is a valid justification for tyranny of the majority then MSM is near the top of the list of activities to be regulated.

Re: Uber's Failure in Japan

#90

Post by vram22 »

greggman wrote: post #28
pnathan wrote: post #24

The advantage of Uber has nothing to do with price and everything to do with grotesque incompetence on the part of the taxi operators. Five-six years ago, when I asked for a receipt for an expense report, I got a hand-scribbled note. Running credit cards often required hand-based crank mechanisms. Autoplaying TV on the back of a seat that was billed unless you explicitly opted out. It was, in short, a scammy operatio…

I feel your pain. That's what taxi service has been like for me in SF and LA. Also it was effectively non-existent except for calling to be taken to the airport because there were so few. Japan, or at least the populated parts generally have tons of taxis so they are easy to find. They are polite and very clean, one thing western cabs are not. If they do something wrong (go the wrong way, end up taking the wrong road…

What's the lah mean exactly? Heard it a lot in Kuala Lumpur but did not check then. Can sort of guess, but good to hear from someone who knows. Enjoyed being there.
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