A new project in Oita City aims to help address the transportation industry’s driver shortage by supporting foreign drivers through Japan’s driver’s license conversion process. Announced on July 7, the initiative brings together four organizations, including a staffing company and a vocational training school. Foreign nationals seeking professional driving jobs in Japan must convert their home-country licenses, but the process became more stringent in October 2025, cutting pass rates by about half. Under the program, participants from countries including Myanmar and India will receive recruitment and pre-departure training before studying traffic regulations and practical driving skills in Oita. Practical training is scheduled to begin next spring, with organizers aiming for participants to obtain Japanese licenses within about two months of arriving in Japan. Source: OBS News / TOS News
Photo: Fukuoka Now (for image purposes only)
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