Welcome to "Learn Japanese from the News."

In this program, we'll learn Japanese and about the country through Japanese news stories.

Here with us is Tokunaga-sensee.

"Sensee, yoroshiku onegaishimasu."

"Yoroshiku onegaishimasu."

Today's headline is:

New System to Allow Dynamic Pricing for Taxis.

Chiara, what do you think?

Well, I think it's totally fair, considering how high the quality of the service,

and the professionalism of taxi services is here.

Right, taxis are generally clean, reliable, and becoming more and more convenient every day.

Now here are some key words you'll hear in today's news story.

"Kokudo-kootsuu-shoo."

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure,
Transport and Tourism.

"ryookin."

fare, as in taxi fare.

"mooshikomi."

application.

OK, let's listen to the story.

The transport ministry will start a new system in May that allows taxi companies

to change fares between peak hours and off-peak hours.

Companies that apply with the ministry will be able to change fares for customers

who call taxis using a smartphone app.

For example, they will lower fares during the daytime, when there are fewer customers.

However, they will raise fares during times when there is likely to be more customers,

such as on rainy days and Friday nights.

They will be able to set prices up to 50% higher or lower than when a taxi is hailed without using an app.

The government will check on the taxi companies once every three months

to make sure the rates do not get too high.

So, under a dynamic pricing system,

taxi fares will potentially be cheaper in times of day when demand is low.

Which sounds pretty good to me!

Right, but fares may be higher during peak hours.

However, as we just heard, the new system is only available for certain taxis that you hail using an app.

Yes.

We heard the phrase
"takushii o yobu baai."

The keyword here is "baai."

"Baai" introduces a condition
for the flexible pricing.

The condition is that the taxi
is hailed through an app.

Otherwise the price doesn't change.

So "baai" expresses a condition.

Yes, and we also heard the phrase "kyaku ga ooku narisoo na toki."

I believe we can use "baai" instead of "toki" here as well.

Yes.

That's also a condition
for the flexible pricing.

Here, "toki" and "baai" mean
the same thing.

So they are interchangeable.

OK, let's take a closer look at the following sentence.

The government will check on the taxi companies once every three months
to make sure the rates do not get too high.

Now read along with me.

"kuni wa sankagetsu ni ichido"

"takusii-gaisha o chekku-shite"

"ryookin ga takaku narisuginai yoo ni shimasu."

It says the transport ministry will keep an eye on taxi companies

to make sure that prices remain fair for users.

That's right.

The key phrase is
"takushii-gaisha o chekku-shite,"

or more specifically, "chekku-suru."

"Check" is a Japanese loanword that comes from the English word "check."

Here, it means "verify."

They will verify that the rules
are being followed.

In Japanese, there are many instances

where we've taken an English verb
and added "-suru."

Yes, that's true.

One often hears people say "Takushii no yoyaku o kyanseru-suru."

Yes, it's a common expression.

But many loanwords have taken on
a unique meaning over time.

"Rifoomu-suru" means something
completely different.

In Japanese, when someone says
"rifoomu-shimashita,"

it means they renovated their house,
or got some clothes altered.

Yes, it's true.

In English, "reform" usually refers to making changes to improve a system or to amend a law.

So the first time I heard somebody say "rifoomu-shimashita."

I was very confused.

So some loanwords have
a different meaning.

But if you don't know
the Japanese word for something,

try taking the English verb
and adding "-suru."

Chiara, what are some examples?
Please write them down.

OK, "ja" what about "Bike-suru."

Well... I see you've drawn a bicycle.

But in Japanese, "baiku" usually refers
to a motorbike.

"Naruhodo."

OK, then what about "Get-suru."

This one is a common expression.
We say "...o getto-suru."

OK, so if you're unsure, try adding "-suru" to an English verb.

It's a strategy that's worth trying.

OK, Tokunaga-sensee, "arigatou gozaimashita."

"Arigatou gozaimashita."

Inside Japan.

Now, let's hear what some international visitors have to say about taxi services in Japan.

They are very clean, and the taxi driver is very polite.

Pretty nice.

They are spacious, compared to the kinds of cars we are used to.

Taxis are vrey expensive.

That's the one negative thing
about them.

It was a little bit difficult to give them the address of the place, and then, eventually we figured it out.

I wasn't even able to understand where I was supposed to wait for the taxi.

In an official survey of international visitors,

a significant number expressed that they had trouble catching a cab on the street.

Oh yes, it is really frustrating when you're trying to flag down a taxi

and none of them are stopping for you.

Right.

Let's go over how you can tell if a taxi you see on the street is available.

All taxis have a display behind the windshield that indicates its status.

If a taxi is available, it will say "kuusha" in red letters.

If it says "kaisoo," that means the taxi is not in service.

Why won't you stop?

If a taxi is displaying anything other than red characters,

you should wait for the next one to come along.

And keep in mind that places like train stations usually have taxi stands.

Drivers may not stop for you unless it's at a designated spot.

Now, these days hailing a taxi is actually pretty straightforward.

You can find apps to do so, so I recommend you try that.

Yes. But keep in mind that apps may not be available in rural areas and in certain languages.

Chiara, any other tips for riding taxis?

Yes.

One should be sure to communicate your destination very very clearly to the driver.

Definitely.

Take a look at this real-life example.

This visitor is eager to get to Asakusa.

"Dochira made mairi masuka?"

I want to go to "Asakusa."

"Akasaka de yoroshii desuka?"

Yes, I want to go to "Asakusa."

"Kashikomarimashita."

Uh oh... Watch out for mix-ups like this one.

Oh no... that passenger is in for an unfortunate surprise.

Right.

If possible, give your driver a specific address,

or show them where you want to go on a brochure or guidebook.

And do remember - not all taxis outside of major cities accept credit cards.

So it's always a good idea to have cash on hand.

Definitely.

And that's all for today.

We'll see you next time.

See you soon.