Teikoku Data Bank revealed that the number of bankrupted taxi companies in a debt of more than 10 million yen in Japan was record-high 82, 19 more companies than 63 in 2023 or more than the previous record of 73 in 2019. The total consisted of 35 bankruptcies and 47 discontinuances or breakup.
Out of the 35 bankruptcies, more than 40% resulted from shortage of drivers, and the ratio was much higher than the previous years. Shortage of drivers forced taxi companies to reduce the operation rates. In addition, many taxi companies suffered from rise in fuel costs through 2024.
報道資料より
According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the number of taxi drivers was about 220,000 nationwide as of the end of March 2023, about 20% fewer drivers than four years ago.
