Shoei Motors Co., Ltd. Hires 8 Foreign Drivers Including the First Ever to Pass the Specified Skilled Worker Test (Taxi Category) in Japan
Shoei Motors Co., Ltd., a major taxi company based in Adachi Ward, held a press conference to announce the hiring of eight foreign drivers under the Specified Skilled Worker system for the automobile transport industry. Five leading industry newspapers attended the event, and it was widely reported as a groundbreaking initiative for the taxi industry using the Specified Skilled Worker program.
At the beginning of the press conference, Chairman Toshiharu Takei of Shoei Motors (also Vice Chairman of the National Federation of Taxi Associations) gave a speech. He expressed his views on how vital the employment of foreign drivers under the specified skills framework will be for the future of the taxi industry and the importance of promoting this initiative.
Chairman Takei stated,
“While there is still a cautious approach across the industry regarding foreign drivers under the Specified Skilled Worker system, Shoei Motors is taking the lead with the strong intention to inspire the entire taxi sector.”
Right: Toshiharu Takei, Chairman of Shoei Motors Co., Ltd. and Vice Chairman of the National Taxi Federation
Left: Hajime Shimizu, Chairman of Nishiarai Mutual Motors Co., Ltd. and Director of the National Taxi Federation
Chairman Takei further commented:
“Although we're currently able to meet our driver staffing needs, the decline in the working-age population means that, eventually, we'll have to rely on hiring foreign drivers. We want to create a model case for the Specified Skilled Worker (Type 1) in the taxi sector nationwide. I hope the industry sees this as a timely opportunity for future growth.”
He added that the transport industry, including trucks and buses, aims to employ 24,500 foreign workers over the next 5 years, with 6,500 of those targeted for the taxi industry. The goal is to increase the proportion of foreign drivers to around 10% in the long term. There's also an eye on eventually expanding into Specified Skilled Worker (Type 2) status, which allows for family accompaniment.
Joys Japan Co., Ltd. Appointed to Support Driver Recruitment
Chairman Takei entrusted the entire recruitment process for these 8 hires to Joys Japan Co., Ltd., due to their specialized capabilities in three critical areas required for implementing the Specified Skilled Worker system effectively:
Driver licensing acquisition
Language and cross-cultural education
Talent placement and retention
Joys Japan has created a support framework that includes registration support and post-placement services, setting them apart as a uniquely convenient partner.
Atsushi Tsutsumi, President & CEO of Joys Japan Co., Ltd.
At the press conference, CEO Tsutsumi explained the company’s business model:
“We’ve created a system that compresses the usual 5-year cost of registration support services (which cover general life assistance) into just 2 years. We provide the know-how so that clients can eventually manage registration support themselves. Unlike regular placement firms, we’ve built a support structure that allows foreign drivers to work with peace of mind.”
Joys Japan's strength lies in leveraging its extensive experience in handling international driver license conversions and its strong network of foreign residents in Japan. They focus on sourcing high-quality foreign residents already in Japan, particularly those with N3-level Japanese or above, and fast-track them toward acquiring a second-class license (required for taxi driving).
Commemorative photo with the newly hired foreign drivers
From left: Chairman Takei, 4 foreign drivers, and Shoei Motors Vice President Katakura
The newly hired foreign drivers are all males in their 20s and 30s, with nationalities including 5 from Myanmar, 1 from India, 1 from Taiwan, and 1 from Vietnam. Here are some comments shared at the event:
Yi-Chen Chang (Taiwan, 29 years old), the first person in Japan to pass the Specified Skilled Worker test for the taxi category:
“I want to use my English and Chinese skills to provide better customer service.”
(His success was attributed to Joys Japan’s early engagement with the Maritime Association and their deep pool of information.)
Vietnamese driver, 22 years old:
“I want to seize this opportunity as a once-in-a-lifetime chance.”
Myanmar driver, 27 years old:
“I want to share the charm of Japan with foreign visitors.”
This press conference showcased a new frontier in human resource utilization within the taxi industry and marked a significant step toward promoting foreign driver employment. Joys Japan plans to continue supporting the development of the industry and addressing the driver shortage by introducing more foreign drivers through the Specified Skilled Worker framework.