TOKYO: Japan will convert a special measure allowing taxi operators to deliver food that was introduced amid the novel coronavirus pandemic into a permanent step, transport minister Kazuyoshi Akaba said Friday.

The special measure is set to expire at the end of September.

But the ministry has concluded that such services allow taxi drivers, hit by slumping taxi demand, to earn income thanks to brisk food delivery demand from those staying home amid the COVID-19 crisis.

Some 54,000 taxies of 1,700 companies had been granted special permission for food delivery services as of Sept. 4, according to the ministry.

Taxi businesses hoping to continue the services in October and later need to submit applications for two-year permission to local transport bureaus. The permission can be extended.

The special measure was launched April 21 to support the taxi industry hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak. Its expiration was moved back from the initially planned May 13 as the new services proved popular.

JIJI Press