Tokyo: Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is expected to announce a plan next week to consider lifting the country’s ban on ride-sharing services, government officials said Wednesday.

Kishida is likely to use his parliamentary policy speech, set for Monday, to unveil the plan in an effort to build momentum for the introduction of ride-sharing transportation services as his ruling Liberal Democratic Party is divided over the matter.

Ride-sharing service involves the use of personal vehicles by drivers to transport passengers for a fee.

Some LDP members, including former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and digital transformation minister Taro Kono, are positive about lifting the ban to address serious shortages of public transportation drivers in big cities, tourist spots and underpopulated areas.

Kishida told a government panel on Oct. 11 that his government will consider promoting the use of private vehicles and drivers to cope with a shortage of local transportation workers. He instructed transport minister Tetsuo Saito to consider the matter.

But other LDP members are cautious as the taxi industry opposes lifting the ban amid concern about intensifying competition. Education minister Masahito Moriyama told a meeting of LDP lawmakers supporting the industry on Tuesday that ride-sharing cannot be easily approved.

Discussions on introducing ride-sharing services will focus on safety, accident compensation and licensing. At a press conference Wednesday, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroshi Moriya said the matter should be considered carefully.

JIJI Press