The surge in tourists visiting Japan has led to an all-time high in illegal taxi crackdowns. Unlicensed taxi operation, colloquially referred to as "white taxis," are public safety and economic issues. Enforcers have been working rigorously to prevent these services from operating, amid growing concerns that tourists are the primary target. The unprecedented number of such incidents reflects the need for increased vigilance by authorities and the harsh consequences of violating Japan's transportation laws.

In Japan, operating an unlicensed taxi service is considered a serious offense and is strictly prohibited by law. The public takes this matter quite seriously as it relates to both personal safety and fair business competition. It also ties into wider concerns about the exploitation of tourists, who may not be aware of the country's taxi licensing rules.

In parallel, the U.S. faces similar issues with unlicensed taxi operations, especially with the rise of ride-hailing services. However, the approach towards regulation and enforcement can differ. While Japan strictly enforces its transportation laws with severe penalties, in the U.S. regulations can vary by state, and the focus is often on creating legislative solutions to include new modes of transport into existing legal frameworks.