Ridesharing, in which ordinary drivers use their own cars to carry passengers for a fee, started in Tokyo for the first time in Japan on April 8.

A departure ceremony was held for the start of ridesharing in Tokyo's 23 wards.

Two cabinet minsiters also joined the ceremony.

Ridesharing service in Japan will be conducted in limited areas and time slots under the management of taxi companies.

A female driver who usually works as a nursing taxi driver had an alcohol check and set off with Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Saito Tetsuo.

S/ Driver: I love driving and I love new things, so I applied. I want to clean the car frequently for passengers.

Nihon Kotsu, where the departure ceremony was held, says that about 60 drivers are registered to work for ridesharing.

Ridesharing is scheduled to start in Kanagawa, Aichi, and Kyoto prefectures within this month.