Yuikaji Kotsu Formally Opens Haebaru Teruya Office

Yuikaji Kotsu Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture; President & CEO: Ryusuke Matsumoto) officially opened its Haebaru Teruya office as a new taxi depot today, April 7th (Tuesday), following a pre-opening on March 16th (Monday), 2026.

■ Background: The Worsening Issue of "Lack of Transportation" in Okinawa

In recent years, Okinawa Prefecture has faced a serious transportation problem due to the expansion of tourism demand. While the number of tourists hit a record 10.75 million in 2025, the number of taxi drivers in the prefecture has nearly halved over the past 12 years (from 10,041 to 5,246). Furthermore, over 78% of active drivers are over 60, and the average driver age is 64.3, indicating a severe aging problem compared to the national average of 60.2. The Okinawa Prefecture's "Next-Generation Transportation Vision Okinawa" also identifies the emergence of public transportation vacuums and a decline in service levels as urgent issues.

※Source: Ryugin Research Institute Report, Japan Federation of Hire-Taxi Associations "Current Status of Wages and Working Hours of Taxi Drivers in 2024", Okinawa Prefecture "Okinawa Next-Generation Transportation Vision"

■ Yuikaji Kotsu's Initiatives and Features

Yuikaji Kotsu was newly established following the lifting of the "Quasi-Specific Area" designation by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in October 2024, to provide new transportation value by securing means of travel and improving services in response to these regional transportation challenges. By strengthening outreach to young people and women who have not traditionally considered being a taxi driver as a career option and enhancing its value as a "chosen profession," we aim to realize sustainable transportation services in Okinawa Prefecture.

Yuikaji Kotsu will focus on the following initiatives:

【Thorough Enforcement of Safety, Security, and a Clean Brand Image】

• Vehicles: All vehicles will be the brand's signature blue "Toyota New Sienta." It was chosen for its convenient sliding doors and features like a backup monitor and various sensors, making it easy for customers to board and reducing the driving burden on staff.

• Uniforms: We have adopted an original Kariyushi-style uniform featuring a design that combines the Deigo (Okinawa's prefectural flower), the wind, and our taxi vehicles.

• Environment: We renovated a former restaurant into a modern, cafe-like office with a blue-themed interior.

【Support and Training for Inexperienced Individuals】

• License Acquisition Support: We fully support the cost of acquiring a Type 2 driver's license, including arranging for off-island training camps for rapid acquisition.

• Promotion of DX: We have introduced ride-hailing apps such as DiDi and Uber. We also support various cashless payment methods.

• Unique Safety and Customer Service Training: We analyze driving data daily and provide individual coaching. In addition to the know-how cultivated by the newmo group through its taxi business operations in Osaka, we are strengthening guidance on specific Okinawan issues, such as using lights to prevent accidents involving people lying on the road ("rojo-newkomi") and encouraging passengers to wear rear seatbelts to address the low usage rate.