Japan Abolishes Requirement for Taxi Drivers to Display Names and Photos

Japan’s Transport Ministry has eliminated the mandate for taxi drivers to display their names and photographs in their vehicles, a change aimed at safeguarding drivers’ personal information and ensuring a secure work environment while addressing the labor shortage in the transportation sector.

Formerly, taxi drivers were required to show their photo ID as proof of their legitimacy as a driver. However, instances of passengers sharing drivers’ personal information online without consent have prompted this move. Passengers will still be able to identify their driver through the driver number or the receipt, maintaining a level of contact for operator communication.