Japan Immigration News

Japan trucking sector eyes drivers from Indonesia, Vietnam amid shortage

Release Date: 2025-03-23
Media: NIKKEI Asia
Summary: Logistics and transportation companies in Japan are increasingly hiring foreign drivers due to a severe labor shortage. In December 2024, a new "specified skills" qualification exam was introduced, allowing foreign nationals to work in the automotive transportation sector. Over 200 people passed the exam.

For example, Sakai Moving Service is hiring over 10 drivers from Indonesia, with plans for them to start working in March 2026. Fukuyama Transporting is training driver candidates in Vietnam and plans to hire about 15 drivers by summer 2026. Senko Group Holdings aims to hire 100 drivers by 2032.

Foreign workers receive support for obtaining Japanese driver's licenses and language training. Domestic hiring is becoming harder due to Japan's declining population, and truck drivers work longer hours with lower pay compared to other sectors.

The "specified skills" program, introduced in 2024, allows industries with labor shortages to hire foreign workers, including in transportation. However, some companies, like Yamato Transport, are hesitant to hire foreign drivers for customer-facing roles due to language concerns. The five-year visa limit and the weaker yen also make it harder to attract international workers.
Tags: Specified Skilled Worker

News Articles including "Specified Skilled Worker"

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2025-03-23

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2023-09-14

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