Okinawa Taxi Drivers Seek 60% Higher Pay

Aug 24, 2026 | News On Japan

NAHA - Following the fare revision, a labor union representing taxi drivers in the prefecture and other groups held a news conference calling for the proportion of operating revenue paid to drivers to be raised from its current level to at least 60%.

Teruaki Anai, chairman of the Okinawa Prefectural Federation of Trade Unions, said the problem is that fare increases have not been sufficiently passed on to workers.

"The fares have gone up, but the money is not reaching the workers," Anai said. "We need a system that ensures workers properly receive the money they earn."

The union submitted a request in June to the Okinawa Labor Bureau and other authorities, asking them to encourage taxi companies to improve working conditions.

An explanatory meeting for taxi workers on the fare revision is scheduled to be held in Haebaru on August 23, with the union calling for strong participation.

Source: 沖縄ニュースOTV

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