Tokyo to hire Bus Drivers from overseas

A Tokyo-based bus operator has expressed its interest in hiring foreign drivers, aiming to encourage Japan to open up job opportunities in response to the growing labor shortage in the public transport sector. Takashi Furukawa, the President of Tokyu Bus Corp, intends to set an example for other bus operators facing a dire need for drivers, drawing from his experience in Vietnam where he previously introduced Japanese expertise in transportation services.

Despite anticipating numerous challenges ahead, Furukawa believes it is a worthwhile endeavor to pave the way for foreign nationals to drive buses for his approximately 2,000-employee company. Emphasizing the importance of safe driving, Furukawa envisions foreign bus drivers possessing the ability to respond to emergencies and exhibit hospitality, including effective communication with customers.

Japan, traditionally known for its strict immigration policies, has been gradually expanding opportunities for foreign workers in recent years. Beginning in 2019, the country started accepting workers with specialized skills, initially in sectors such as nursing care, with subsequent additions bringing the total to 12. The government is now considering including bus, taxi, and truck drivers in this category.

Concerns have arisen in the transportation sector due to the introduction of a cap on driver overtime, set to 960 hours annually from April. This, coupled with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on passenger demand and rising costs, has led to the "2024 problem," predicting acute labor shortages.

The Nihon Bus Association estimates a shortfall of approximately 36,000 drivers by fiscal 2030, attributing it in part to an aging workforce. Even if Japan permits bus operators to hire foreign drivers, obtaining the necessary Class 2 driver's license for commercial vehicles remains a significant hurdle. Plans are underway to offer license tests in 20 languages, aiming to address this challenge.

Tokyu Bus has been actively promoting diversity, with two Vietnamese mechanics and around 3 percent of female drivers. Furukawa acknowledges the initial resistance to female drivers, emphasizing the importance of ensuring customers perceive foreign drivers as competent as their Japanese counterparts.

A survey by the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry revealed that over half of small and midsize Japanese firms recognize the need for the country to accept foreign workers. Mathias Cormann of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development highlighted the importance of Japan offering long-term residency, improving access to education, and preventing discrimination to attract highly skilled foreign workers.

Executives in the transportation industry stress the necessity of enhancing the appeal of driving as a profession, considering the often associated long hours, low pay, and a weaker yen diminishing Japan's attractiveness. Tokyu Bus plans to implement a fare hike in March, the first since 1997, partly to enhance employee benefits, ensuring that foreign drivers receive the same benefits as their Japanese counterparts.

Furukawa emphasizes the critical role foreign workers play in sustaining daily life and expresses hope for a positive shift in Japanese society's perception of drivers coming from different parts of the world.

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