The Debate Over Ride-Sharing and What It Reveals About Japanese Society

Image
  Why Opening Uber in Japan Usually Gets You a Taxi Imagine that you are in Tokyo and decide to call a ride. You open the Uber app, expecting the familiar experience you have had in many other countries. A nearby driver should appear on the screen and soon arrive to pick you up. Instead, what usually arrives is a licensed taxi. For many visitors to Japan, this is one of the country's more surprising little discoveries. In much of the world, Uber means one thing: ride-sharing.  You tap a button, a nearby driver arrives, and you are on your way. In Japan, however, the experience has long been quite different. Ask many Japanese people what Uber is, and they are more likely to think of Uber Eats than ride-sharing. For years, one of the world's most famous mobility brands was known in Japan primarily as a food delivery service. How did that happen? Why Japan Kept Ride-Sharing at a Distance For decades, Japanese law generally prohibited private individuals from transporting passenge...
Post a Comment

Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how Tokyo Curiologue (hereinafter referred to as "the Blog") collects, uses, and shares personal information and data when you visit or interact with the Blog. 1. Information We CollectWe may collect the following types of information:
  • Personal Information: Name, email address, and other information you voluntarily provide when subscribing to our newsletter, posting comments, or contacting us via the inquiry form.
  • Usage Data: IP address, browser type, operating system, referring URLs, pages viewed, date and time of visits, and other access-related information.
  • Cookies and Similar Technologies: We use cookies, web beacons, and similar tracking technologies to enhance user experience, analyze traffic, and deliver advertisements. You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings.
2. How We Use Your InformationWe use the collected information for the following purposes:
  • To provide, maintain, and improve the Blog.
  • To personalize your browsing experience (e.g., displaying recommended articles).
  • To respond to your inquiries and send newsletters (only to those who have subscribed).
  • To analyze usage trends and improve content quality.
  • To address technical issues and ensure security.
  • To comply with applicable laws and regulations.
3. Sharing of InformationWe may share your information with the following parties:
  • Service Providers: Third-party vendors that provide hosting, email delivery, analytics, and other services on our behalf. These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information.
  • Advertising Partners (especially Google AdSense): We use third-party advertising services such as Google AdSense to display advertisements on the Blog. These advertising partners may use cookies and similar technologies to collect information about your visits to this Blog and other websites in order to deliver relevant advertisements based on your interests.

Google AdSense Specific Notice
This Blog uses Google AdSense. Google and its partners use cookies to serve ads based on a user’s previous visits to this Blog and/or other websites on the internet. You can manage your personalized advertising preferences by visiting:
  • Google’s Ad Settings: https://myadcenter.google.com/
  • About Ads (opt-out for third-party advertisers): https://www.aboutads.info/choices/
  • Legal Requirements: We may disclose information when required by law or in response to valid legal requests from authorities.
  • Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred.
4. Your RightsDepending on your country or region of residence, you may have rights regarding your personal data, including the right to access, correct, delete, or restrict processing.
If you wish to exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the form below.5. Data RetentionWe retain your personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy, or as required/permitted by law.6. SecurityWe implement reasonable security measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. However, no method of data transmission or storage over the internet is 100% secure.7. Third-Party WebsitesThis Blog may contain links to external websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those third-party sites. Please review their privacy policies when visiting them.8. Children’s PrivacyThis Blog is not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately.9. Changes to This Privacy PolicyWe may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any material changes will be posted on this page. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.10. Contact UsIf you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, please contact us through the contact form  in the sidebar of the Blog.

Last Updated: 2026/06/26


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Masakado-zuka – The Ancient Rebel Resting Beneath Tokyo’s Financial District

Image
  The Grave Hidden in Tokyo’s Financial Center In the heart of Tokyo’s Otemachi district, sleek skyscrapers and corporate headquarters dominate the skyline. This is one of the most powerful financial centers in Japan — a world of glass towers, business suits, and relentless efficiency. But hidden among those modern buildings is something strangely out of place. Surrounded by trees and stone walls sits a small, quiet grave known as Masakado-zuka (将門塚, also read Shomon-zuka) — the grave mound of Taira no Masakado, a warrior who rebelled against the imperial court more than 1,000 years ago. According to legend, his severed head rests here. And even today, in the middle of one of the most rational and economically driven places in the world, Tokyo still seems unable to completely ignore him. The Man Who Challenged Kyoto Taira no Masakado was a powerful warrior during the mid-Heian period in the 10th century. At the time, Japan was ruled from Kyoto, while the eastern regions...
Read more

Nippori Fabric Town: Tokyo’s Paradise for Fabric Lovers

Image
  Just a few minutes’ walk from JR Nippori Station’s East Exit lies one of Tokyo’s most unexpectedly fascinating shopping streets — Nippori Fabric Town ( 日暮里繊維街 ). Compact yet densely packed with specialty stores, this textile district has become a beloved destination for everyone from professional designers to casual hobbyists and curious travelers. A Haven for Creators Originally developed as a wholesale district for tailors and textile professionals, Nippori Fabric Town has gradually evolved into a welcoming space for all kinds of creators. Students, hobbyists, independent designers, cosplayers, and tourists now wander the street in search of inspiration and unique materials. Despite its quiet, retro neighborhood atmosphere, the area feels surprisingly international once you step inside the shops. You may find yourself browsing alongside foreign cosplayers, fashion students, and fellow travelers, all searching for the perfect fabric or accessory. The variety is remarkabl...
Read more

The "First Blast" Returns to Tokyo’s Night Sky — Adachi Fireworks Reborn in Early Summer

Image
As evening fell on May 30, the banks of the Arakawa River in eastern Tokyo came alive. The streets leading from nearby Kita-Senju Station to the riverbanks were already overflowing with people wrapped in a sense of eager anticipation. It was a Tokyo night just a little too early to be called true summer, yet beneath the collective gaze of the crowd, the Adachi Fireworks finally began. Tracing its roots back to 1924, the event along the Arakawa River marked its 48th edition in its current format this year. Its greatest appeal lies in the sheer intensity of its “high-density fireworks” display — approximately 13,000 shells launched non-stop within a single hour. Watching from the Backstreets — Fireworks Blooming Between the Alleys of Shitamachi Strict crowd-control measures surrounded the main riverbank venue for safety reasons. The area was filled with intense excitement, accessible only to those with paid tickets or those who had secured spots hours in advance.  Yet step away from ...
Read more