Hyogo prefectural police have arrested six Pakistani nationals on suspicion of operating unlicensed paid passenger services — known in Japan as shiro taku, or "white taxis" — for foreign sightseeing groups, ABC News reported.
One of the six, Imtiaz Muhammad Usama, 28, admitted the allegation, telling investigators he received payment from fellow Pakistanis, according to the report. The other five deny it, saying they were not paid.
The six are suspected of carrying passengers for a fee without a business permit between August and last month. Police believe they repeatedly took foreign tourists in large vehicles to spots including Arashiyama in Kyoto and Himeji Castle in Hyogo, and were paid for the trips.
Last month one of the suspects was driving with six passengers on board when the vehicle was caught in an accident on an expressway, the report said. No details of injuries were given.
Police are looking for others believed to have been involved.