Hiring of foreign drivers is expanding in the logistics industry. Prompted by the certification of Specified Skilled Worker No. 1 status, a plan has been announced to secure 1,800 foreign drivers over the next 10 years, equivalent to approximately 30% of all drivers.
Hiring of foreign drivers is expanding in the logistics industry. The certification of Specified Skilled Worker No. 1 status is expected to help address labor shortages in the transport industry, but creating an environment that ensures safety remains a challenge.
Fukuyama Transporting is bringing about 30 people from Indonesia to Japan this year and is moving ahead with the introduction of small trucks that can be driven with an ordinary driver’s license. The Indonesian drivers have spoken enthusiastically about adapting to Japanese roads, and are expected to be deployed as immediately effective personnel.
SBS Holdings aims to secure approximately 1,800 foreign drivers over the next 10 years and has announced a plan to have foreign workers account for approximately 30% of its total workforce. The chronic labor shortage and the introduction in April 2024 of a 960-hour annual cap on overtime are factors behind the plan. The current certification allows employment in motor vehicle transport, and is expected to be expanded to personnel for logistics warehouse operations in the future.