Japan Looks Overseas for Bus Drivers Amid Severe Labor ShortageーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS

Why It Matters

The driver deficit threatens Japan’s bus connectivity, prompting costly foreign‑recruitment strategies that require policy backing to sustain essential public transport.

Key Takeaways

• Japan faces 30,000 bus driver shortage in coming years.
• Companies recruit Indonesian workers via skilled‑worker visa program.
• Language and licensing hurdles extend foreign drivers’ training periods.
• Even with foreign hires, service cuts may persist without policy aid.
• Government financial support could offset high training costs for newcomers.

Summary

Japan’s aging bus‑driver workforce is creating a looming crisis, with industry estimates warning of a shortfall of roughly 30,000 drivers over the next few years. To stave off service reductions, many operators are turning to foreign talent, notably Indonesians hired under the country’s specified skilled‑worker visa program, as illustrated by Mahatma Rismawati’s six‑month path to the driver’s seat. The influx of overseas drivers confronts steep obstacles: they must obtain a Japanese commercial license, master traffic regulations, and achieve sufficient language proficiency to interact with passengers. Training periods are therefore longer and costlier than for domestic hires, and companies are already offering bonuses, extended retirement ages, and other incentives to attract candidates. Mahatma’s experience underscores the human side of the challenge—spending double the usual practice time, studying manuals at home, and navigating everyday hurdles like a passenger with an insufficient IC card balance. Industry voices, such as NHK’s Sumida Satoru, note that even ambitious targets—like hiring 10% of drivers from abroad—won’t fully offset the gap without systemic support. If unaddressed, the shortage could force further route cuts, undermining Japan’s critical public‑transport network. Experts argue that government subsidies for training and language education are essential to make foreign recruitment a viable long‑term solution.

Original Description

Bus companies across Japan are hiring foreign workers to make up a massive upcoming shortfall on their bus routes. But training them isn't as simple as making the wheels go round.

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