Kokusai Motorcars
Kokusai Motorcars (km Group) is a major Japanese passenger transport company operating taxis, hire cars (chauffeur services), and buses, primarily in Tokyo.
Last updated September 28, 2026
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Overview
Kokusai Motorcars, commonly known as km Group, is a comprehensive passenger transport company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Founded in March 1920 as a hire car (chauffeur-driven car) operator in Tokyo, the company expanded into taxi and bus services over the decades. Today, the km Group operates taxis, hire cars, and buses, primarily in the Tokyo metropolitan area, with additional operations in Yokohama and Osaka. The group also provides driver dispatch, vehicle maintenance, interior work, goods sales, and insurance services. As of March 31, 2024, the group operated 4,833 taxis (including affiliated companies), 424 hire cars, and 75 buses, totaling 5,332 vehicles. The core holding company is Kokusai Motorcars Co., Ltd., which changed its name from km Holdings in August 2014. The group is known for its "km" brand mark and its "Hospitality Driving" motto, which was registered as a trademark on February 21, 2014. Kokusai Motorcars is one of the largest taxi operators in Tokyo, alongside Nihon Kotsu, and is a member of the Tokyo Four Company Business Committee (東京四社営業委員会) along with Nihon Kotsu, Daiwa Motor Transportation, and Teito Motor Transportation. The company has a long history of innovation, including early adoption of cashless payment systems and non-smoking taxis. It is also involved in CSR activities, such as the Support Cab (救急タクシー) program, which is certified by the Tokyo Fire Department.
History
Kokusai Motorcars was founded in March 1920 (Taisho 9) in Uchisaiwaicho, Kojimachi Ward, Tokyo (now Chiyoda Ward), as a hire car (chauffeur-driven car) operator with capital of 500,000 yen and 11 vehicles. In July 1926, the headquarters moved to Tameike, Akasaka Ward, Tokyo (Sanno Office). In December 1943, under wartime consolidation, four companies—Kokusai Motorcars, Akasaka Motorcars, Aoyama Motorcars, and Toko Motorcars—merged to form Toa Motorcars Co., Ltd. with 300 licensed vehicles. In December 1944, the company name was changed back to Kokusai Motorcars Co., Ltd. In March 1945, based on the Third Corporate Consolidation Order, the company absorbed 12 companies, resulting in 1,048 vehicles and 15 offices; April 1 of that year was designated as the company's founding date. Although the company lost many vehicles and facilities in World War II, it restarted after the war with 449 remaining vehicles. In October 1945, it acquired the operating rights for group passenger vehicles and entered the bus business. In 1946, it operated buses for the occupation forces. In 1949, it began the Tokyo-Hakone Express Bus (known as the 'Bullet Bus'). In 1953, it established the Nakano Office and started taxi operations. In 1960, it founded Akasaka Motor Driving School (later Kokusai Motor Driving School). In 1961, it changed the livery of its charter buses to the current 'km color'. In 1972, it introduced the Royal Salon Car, a luxury bus with rotating seats in the front and a salon in the rear. In February 1973, the Kokusai Akasaka Building and Kokusai Head Office Building were completed; the hire car/taxi division and charter bus division were separated, and Kokusai Motorcars became the group holding company and real estate leasing company. In the early 1980s, it formed business alliances with Shinagawa Jidosha Taxi, Shinwa Jidosha, Yayoi Kotsu, and Daimaru Kotsu, bringing them into the km Group, and established the 'km Group' vehicle color with blue bands. In 1989, it allied with Toyotama Taxi; in 1990, with Makoto Kotsu. In January 1995, it acquired Fujita Kanko Jidosha and its subsidiaries; in March 1995, Kokusai Hire acquired Shirakaba Jidosha. In 1998, Kei Emu Kanko transferred its charter bus business to Kokusai Hire; Kei Emu Akasaka and Kei Emu Taxi were founded. In 1999, Kokusai Hire and Kokusai Taxi merged to form Kei Emu Kokusai Co., Ltd. In 2001, Kokusai Motorcars merged with Kei Emu Kokusai. In 2003, it ended its contract with Daimaru Kotsu and relocated several offices. In 2004, it came under Synergy Capital, withdrew from real estate leasing, and abolished Kei Emu Akasaka. In May 2005, it moved its headquarters from its own building in Akasaka to Akasaka Twin Tower. In 2006, it allied with Tokyo Lucky Taxi and formed a capital alliance with Kokusai Co., Ltd. In 2007, it introduced PASMO/Suica payment terminals in taxis, allied with Oda Kogyo, and acquired Silver Taxi. In June 2008, km Holdings Co., Ltd. was established as a holding company; all taxis were equipped with IC card payment terminals. In 2009, it closed Asakusa and Omori offices and spun off other taxi offices. In 2010, Shirakaba Jidosha changed its name to Kokusai Hire; the headquarters of km Holdings, Kokusai Motorcars, Kokusai Hire, and Kei Emu Holdings moved to km Akasaka Building. In 2011, km Holdings acquired ANZEN Group. In 2012, Kei Emu Kanko Bus began the Odaiba Rainbow Bus; New Tokyo Kanko Jidosha was acquired. In 2013, ANZEN Shinagawa changed its name to Kokusai Motorcars Setagaya; Kei Emu Kanko Bus changed its name to Kei Emu Kanko Bus Co., Ltd. In August 2014, Kokusai Motorcars transferred its business to km Holdings and changed its name to Kokusai Motorcars Co., Ltd.; the 'ANZEN' name was abolished. In 2015, it allied with Hakodate moomoo-taxi in Hokkaido and began km Personal Taxi. In 2017, it allied with Kanto Jidosha Kotsu and introduced the 'Furukuru' taxi app. In 2019, it introduced the 'S.RIDE' app and acquired Lion Kotsu. In 2021, Kei Emu Kanko Bus changed its name to km Mobility Service Co., Ltd. As of March 31, 2024, the group operated 5,332 vehicles.
- 2021
Kei Emu Kanko Bus renamed km Mobility Service Co., Ltd.
- 2019
Introduced S.RIDE app; acquired Lion Kotsu.
- 2014
Business transferred to km Holdings; company renamed Kokusai Motorcars Co., Ltd.
- 2011
km Holdings acquired ANZEN Group.
- 2008
Established km Holdings as holding company; equipped all taxis with IC card terminals.
- 2004
Came under Synergy Capital; withdrew from real estate leasing.
- 2001
Kokusai Motorcars merged with Kei Emu Kokusai.
- 1999
Kokusai Hire and Kokusai Taxi merged to form Kei Emu Kokusai.
- 1995
Acquired Fujita Kanko Jidosha and Shirakaba Jidosha.
- 1973
Separated hire car/taxi and charter bus divisions; became holding and real estate company.
Products and positioning
Comprehensive passenger transport provider emphasizing hospitality and safety, with a strong brand in the Tokyo taxi market.
km Taxi
Taxi services in Tokyo, Yokohama, and other areas.
Kokusai Hire
Chauffeur-driven hire car services.
km Mobility Service
Bus services, including charter and fixed-route buses.
kmG Auto Assist
Automotive assistance services.
Support Cab
Emergency taxi service certified by Tokyo Fire Department.
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