Japanese logistics agency Nakano Shokai has recruited three Vietnamese medium-duty truck drivers, marking the primary time the Yamato Group has employed non-Japanese drivers underneath Japan’s specified expert employee system. This scheme was devised to compensate for labor shortages in important industrial spheres, corresponding to motorcar transportation.
The three Vietnamese nationals, all of their 20s and 30s, have been employed as candidates for truck driving roles underneath the Specified Skilled Workers (i) program. According to an organization announcement, they may start their driver duties from the Atsugi Sales Office in June 2026, following a studying interval centered round Japanese guidelines, customs, on-the-job coaching, and help.
The common age for heavy-duty truck drivers in Japan is 50.9 years, markedly larger than these throughout all different industries. This displays the approaching capability crunch going through the logistics sector as a consequence of a scarcity of recent entrants. To counter the difficulty, the Japanese authorities expanded the Specified Skilled Worker (i) residential standing to incorporate professions dealing in motorcar transportation in 2024.
Nakano Shokai’s recruitment drive centered on Vietnamese nationals who possess the equal of N4-level Japanese language expertise and possess a driving license. The firm additionally favored candidates with work expertise in Japan. To guarantee their clean integration into Japanese society and work tradition, Nakano Shokai offers a complete assist system for its international staff. This contains pre-hire and post-hire coaching packages in Vietnam and Japan, geared toward familiarizing the workers with Japanese language, tradition, and worksite guidelines.
In January 2026, forward of the brand new recruits’ arrival, Nakano Shokai additionally performed a coaching program for its Japanese workers based mostly on the Atsugi Sales Office. The coaching lined subjects corresponding to residency standing, working situations, security schooling, and communication methods, contemplating cultural and language variations.
Throughout its historical past, Nakano Shokai has been dedicated to office variety. As a part of this dedication, it has already employed non-Japanese personnel from 11 completely different international locations, together with South Korea, the Philippines, and Vietnam. These workers, who’re all residents of Japan, contribute to the corporate’s operation by way of their roles in warehouse administration and administration.