In April 2024, Japan's Specified Skilled Worker visa system will expand, and the automobile transportation industry (trucks, buses, taxis) will begin accepting approximately 25,000 foreign workers over the next five years. Of these, around 6,000 are expected to find employment in the taxi industry. Now, is the working population in your country increasing? In Japan, the working population is decreasing due to the effects of a declining birthrate and an aging society. Since peaking in 1995, Japan's working-age population (ages 15–64) has been declining and is projected to decrease by 29.2%, reaching 52.75 million by 2050 (a decrease from 2021). This decrease in the labor force is raising concerns about various social and economic challenges, such as labor shortages and the potential contraction of the economy due to a decrease in domestic demand.
The theme this time is about the labor shortage in Japan's automobile transportation industry and the efforts being made to address it. By reading this article, you'll realize that opportunities are expanding for foreign workers in Japan! If you're considering a career as a professional driver, read this article and take the first step forward!
1. Current State of the Shrinking Workforce
The current shortage of human resources in Japan is serious, with several factors contributing to the situation, including the following:
Aging Population and Declining Birthrate
Japan's declining birthrate and increasing aging population mean the workforce is dwindling, creating serious manpower shortages across many industries.Changes in Industrial Structure
Changes in the industrial structure have led to an insufficient supply of labor for highly-demanded professions and industries.
Furthermore, the following industries are especially affected by significant labor shortages:
Automobile Transportation Industry
Healthcare and Nursing Industry
Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries
Manufacturing Industry (especially technical jobs)
Service Industry (especially restaurants and retail)
For example, the healthcare industry is experiencing severe shortages of caregivers and nurses due to the aging society. Similarly, the construction and manufacturing industries face issues with labor shortages for job types that require time to acquire skills. The labor shortage problem is expected to become more serious in the future. The acceleration of the decline in the working-age population, particularly due to aging and low birthrates, is a concern.
2. Current status of the taxi industry
The automobile transportation industry is also severely affected by labor shortages. In particular, the lack of taxi drivers is a pressing issue. The following shows the situation of manpower shortages among taxi drivers in Japan:
In 2020, the shortage of taxi drivers was estimated to be around 30,000 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)
By 2030, the shortage of taxi drivers is expected to expand to over 40,000 (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism)
In fact, the shortage of manpower has led to longer taxi waiting times and a decline in service quality in numerous regions. Therefore, the shortage of personnel in the automobile transportation industry is an urgent issue. The taxi industry requires various measures, such as addressing aging, improving working conditions, and increasing competitiveness. Efforts are being made to implement effective personnel securing measures and improve working environments.
3. Initiatives in the Taxi Industry
① Acceptance of Foreign Workers
From April 2024, the new residence status of "Specified Skill" will be added to the automobile transportation industry, and approximately 6,000 foreign workers are expected to be employed in the taxi industry over the next five years.
② Improvement of Working Conditions
Some taxi companies are working to improve treatment and working conditions. For example, they are raising salaries, enhancing benefits, and offering more flexible working hours.
③ Enhancement of Education and Training
The educational and training systems for taxi drivers are being enhanced. Programs are offered to acquire safe driving practices, hospitality manners, and geographic knowledge, supporting drivers' skill improvements.
④ Introduction of new forms of employment
New employment models, such as freelance taxi driving, are being introduced. This allows for a more flexible working style that can be tailored to individual lifestyles, offering more adaptable working conditions.
⑤ Implementation of recruitment promotion measures
Some taxi companies are actively implementing recruitment promotion strategies. These efforts include increasing job advertisements, offering hiring bonuses, and introducing referral incentives, all aimed at attracting new drivers.
⑥ Improving industry attractiveness
Efforts are underway to increase the charm of the taxi industry. With the adoption of advanced technologies, environmental considerations, and the improvement of customer service, the industry's attractiveness is being enhanced.
⑦ Diversification of the Workforce
The diversification of the workforce is progressing in the taxi industry. Efforts are being made to utilize diverse human resources, such as women, seniors, and people with disabilities, expanding the sources of labor supply.
⑧ Improvement of the Working Environment
Some taxi companies are working on improving the working environment. They are enhancing rest facilities for drivers during their shifts and providing health management support, which helps reduce stress and alleviate the burden on drivers.
By implementing these measures comprehensively, the taxi industry is addressing the shortage of personnel, improving service quality, and promoting industry development. However, challenges still remain, and further efforts will be needed in the future.
In Conclusion
According to estimates by the Japanese government, Japan's labor population could decrease by about 12 million by 2040, with a projected reduction of approximately 20% in the labor force.
In response to the impact of such population decline, Japanese society is emphasizing the role of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) and working towards efficient economic growth and solving social challenges. At the same time, there is a growing expectation for foreign talent. For those of you who wish to work in Japan, favorable conditions are emerging. Why not take the step forward? We support you!