Tokyo police and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism conducted a coordinated crackdown on illegal taxi services at Harumi Flag on Monday.

The operation targets "shiro-taku" — unlicensed private vehicles operating as taxis — which authorities said create safety concerns for residents in the redevelopment district. Because these operators lack official licenses, they bypass the regulatory oversight, and insurance requirements mandated for commercial transport.

Officers stopped vehicles in motion to verify the purpose of the trips and determine if passengers were paying for the rides [1]. The operation took place in the Harumi Flag area of Chuo Ward, the site of the former Olympic Village [1].

This surge in enforcement follows a sharp increase in illegal transport activity across Japan. According to the Metropolitan Police Department, there were 132 arrests for shiro-taku activities nationwide over the past year [1]. This figure represents the highest number of such arrests since 2013 [1].

Local officials said that the rise in illegal operations has caused growing anxiety among the community. The police intend to maintain a high visibility presence in the district to deter unlicensed drivers from soliciting passengers.

"Residents are feeling anxious, and we want to continue strengthening the crackdown on illegal 'shiro-taku' in cooperation with residents and relevant agencies," said Takeharu Ohashi, chief of the Tsukishima Police Station [1].

The joint operation between the police and the transport ministry is part of a broader effort to synchronize enforcement across different government agencies, ensuring that both traffic laws and transport regulations are upheld simultaneously.

“132 arrests for shiro-taku activities nationwide over the past year”

The record-high number of unlicensed taxi arrests suggests a growing gap between traditional transport regulations and the demand for flexible ride-sharing in new urban developments. By targeting high-profile areas like Harumi Flag, Japanese authorities are attempting to signal a zero-tolerance policy toward the 'shadow' transport economy to ensure passenger safety and protect the legal taxi industry.