{
  "id": 10849802,
  "title": "Uber, Japan Post to start ride-sharing bookings at post offices in Ishikawa Pref. city",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/uber-japan-post-to-start-ride-sharing-bookings-at-post-offices-in",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-30T03:37:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Mainichi",
    "slug": "the-mainichi",
    "url": "https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260930/p2a/00m/0bu/005000c"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On September 29, Uber Japan, Japan Post Co. and others announced plans to launch a service enabling residents in Kaga, Ishikawa Prefecture, to book public ride-sharing at post office counters starting October 7. This marks the first such initiative in Japan. The post offices aim to assist older individuals who may struggle with smartphone operations and cashless payments. The companies emphasized that this is the initial program of its kind in Japan.\n\nPublic ride-sharing is managed by local governments and entities, providing transportation for residents who find it challenging to secure other means of travel due to depopulation and other factors. In Kaga, the city launched a public ride-sharing system using Uber's app in March 2024, anticipating a rise in tourism following the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line.\n\nConcerns emerged that older individuals with difficulties using smartphone-based ride booking and cashless payment methods would be unable to utilize the service. To address this, Uber Japan, Japan Post Co., and others planned a service utilizing local post offices as familiar contact points. Fifteen post offices in Kaga will accommodate ride requests through dedicated Uber terminals. Users can convey their destination to counter staff, pay the fare in cash immediately, and board the vehicle.\n\nMayor Toshiaki Yamada of Kaga highlighted improving transportation as a critical challenge for local governments. He expressed the city's commitment to creating an environment where people can move freely, regardless of population size.",
  "summary": "TOKYO -- Uber Japan, Japan Post Co. and others announced on Sept. 29 that they will launch a service allowing people to book public ride-sharing at po",
  "key_points": [
    "Uber, Japan Post to launch ride-sharing service in Kaga, Ishikawa Prefecture starting October 7.",
    "Fifteen post offices in Kaga will serve as dedicated Uber terminals for ride requests."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}