Japanese taxis aren’t the cheapest, and that’s an understatement. But this apparently minor detail didn’t worry Koichi Machida of Aichi Prefecture — not in the slightest.
The 36-year-old man in question ordered a taxi in Toyohashi, with the destination being Aomori, his hometown. An ordinary sounding request on the surface, and one made even more understandable by Machida-san giving the reason for his journey as, “My relative is now critically ill. I want you to take me to Aomori where I will have money.” The potential customer’s mention of money however hints at the slightly unusual nature of the request: Toyohashi to Aomori is a whopping 1,115-kilometre journey.
Surprisingly unfazed by the distance, the cab company arranged a car and two drivers for the trip, and upon arrival in Aomori the meter showed a phenomenal 352,900 yen (1,777 pound) fare. The only problem was that Mr. Machida didn’t have the money, so instead of going to the bank as promised, he promptly ran off without paying.
The fare dodging fraudster was later picked up by the police in a nearby hotel, and found with the princely sum of 13,000 yen (65 pound) in his pocket. Machida later confessed that after losing his job in Toyohashi, he simply wanted to return home to Aomori. However why he didn’t just take the train wasn’t disclosed.
ifrit says
Crazy Japanese people XD
Nacente says
Well….that’s how it works, he could have went crazy after losing the job
Jamie Brockington says
Poor guy lost his job. Probably one of the most humiliating things that can happen to a Japanese male. Apparently all he wanted was to get away. But why he couldn’t just take the train eludes me…
balex says
He was too poor. The 13,000 yen is to buy food supply for the next few days and by taking the train, he will have to go hungry.
Hexxenn says
I don’t blame the guy.
Makito says
I emphasize for the poor guy but if I was the cab driver I would more than a little annoyed at the fact that I was good enough not to kick him out of my cab on the first request, and in fact scheduled a complete two driver trip for this bum.
Toni says
I agree. It’s too bad that the guy lost his job, but the cab drivers were just making a living too. Couldn’t one of his relatives have wired him some money for a train ride home? If he was too humiliated, he could have told them that he was mugged or robbed or something.
doraemonxo says
I guess he figured he couldn’t con his way into getting there free by train since he would have to pay upfront?