Crime Chinese busted for illegal taxi operation in Kamakura

A 34-year-old Chinese national was arrested in Kanagawa Prefecture yesterday for operating an unlicensed taxi service. Zhao Weilong, who lives in Adachi Ward in Tokyo and claims to be a repair salesman, was accused of picking up six Chinese tourists in Kamakura and transporting them to Enoshima in his private minivan for a fee. Despite denying the allegations, Zhao was charged with violating the Road Transportation Law.

Zhao was explicitly accused of picking up six Chinese customers on a prefectural road in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, at around 12:05 p.m. and transporting them in his private minivan for approximately 340 metres for a fee without obtaining permission from the government. According to the traffic investigation division, the customers were going from Tokyo to Enoshima, a land-tied island near Kamakura. They paid some 42,000 JPY (about USD 270) in advance by electronic payment.

The scene of the arrest is a sightseeing spot where Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine and other tourist attractions are located. Based on information that unlicensed taxis were rampant in the area, the traffic investigation division, Kamakura Police Station and other authorities were conducting a crackdown. In 2023, there was only one arrest for such drivers in the prefecture, but the number increased to 12 in 2024 due to the growing number of inbound tourists.

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Zhao insisted he didn't get paid.