This is Masaki Koreishi.

I have been reading what people are saying about the current situation in Japan, and one of the things that caught my attention was this: While taxi companies are forced into having their employees take days off or even laying them off, carriers such as Japan Post and Yamato, and Sagawa are in great demand and often require more days than usual for delivery.

In urban areas such as Tokyo, I hear that Uber is now busy as ever (not confirmed but easily imaginable).

On the other hand, food industry, especially restaurants and bars are now forced to close their business.

Isn’t there any link that can connect these businesses? There should be. The following article is one example. I just wanted to inform you that this kind of service is starting in Hitoyoshi City in our Kumamoto Prefecture.

Tsubame Taxi seems to be doing well in this tough situation by providing this kind of service in other areas, too.

Last evening, I watched on TV news that a strawberry farm where you can usually hand-pick strawberries and eat them on the spot and bring them home is having a hard time. So they started delivering strawberries to stores in hospitals (hospitalized elderly people cannot walk far to buy fruits on their own, the news said) and also started selling strawberries like a food truck beside the entrance of stores like drug stores. I thought these are really good examples of what we can do in this unprecedented situation.

So the following is a translation of the Kumanichi article about the service Tsubame Taxi is providing:

“Familiar Taste” Delivered to Your Home: Taxi Company in Hitoyoshi City Collaborates with Restaurants

Tsubame Taxi (Hitoyoshi City, Kumamoto Prefecture) will start a meal delivery service in April in collaboration with restaurants in the city. It is named “Taxi Eats” and aims to contribute to sales in the food service industry, which is affected by the spread of the CoVID-19.

The user calls the taxi company, tells the restaurant where they want to use, and orders a meal. The driver receives the meal at the restaurant and delivers it in a special delivery box. The user pays for the meal and the fare from the store to the designated location.

Tsubame Taxi President Shojiro Kita (60) started the initiative. So far, about 20 restaurants such as izakaya (Japanese-style bar where you can also have meals), yakiniku (barbeque) restaurants and hotels that serve lunch have participated. The operation will begin as soon as the system is in place, such as the distribution of leaflets to households. Mr. Kita said, “I want everyone to enjoy the tastes they are familiar with while staying home is required.” Tsubame Taxi TEL: 0966 (22) 5115.

Original Kumanichi article: