Sept. 24 - On a recent visit to Okinawa, I discovered a wonderful service. Having wandered far from my hotel one night, I became too tired to walk back and began to search for a taxi. After continuing along the road for a few minutes, I saw a small car ahead that looked like a taxi. It had a sign on the door with a new Japanese word I did not know in large letters, "daiko." Underneath that in smaller letters was a sign - Approval number XX, Okinawa Public Safety Commission.

The driver seemed to be waiting outside a busy restaurant and bar district just like a taxi, so I wondered what this "daiko" could be. Perhaps sensing my confusion, the driver rolled down his window and asked me in a friendly way where I was going. I told him I was looking for a taxi back to my hotel, and he told me to hop in his car.

After I entered the car, I was surprised to see another gentleman sitting in the front seat next to the driver. As he drove me to my hotel, my driver explained Okinawa's daiko or "substitute driver" system. When a person has had a drink outside his home, he can call a daiko company who will come in a car with two drivers. While the substitute driver drives the customer home in his car, the daiko car with a second driver follows closely behind. After dropping off the customer and his car at the destination, the daiko car and two drivers drive away. My driver told me that Okinawa's public safety commission carefully regulates the daiko business by making sure drivers and their vehicles are licensed and insured.

What a wonderful system, I thought. This great service can reduce the problem of drinking and driving while simultaneously providing employment opportunities for drivers. I hope that some enterprising Okinawan will introduce this business concept to America someday.

Until next time,

Jim