Specific Skills "Automobile Transportation Industry" Explanation of residence status and examination
In response to the chronic shortage of taxi, bus, and truck drivers, the "automobile transportation industry" will be added to the areas eligible for "specified skills" in 2024.
Until now, in order to work as a driver, one needed to have a residence status that does not restrict employment, such as being a spouse or child of a Japanese national or a permanent resident. Those with a residence status of Engineer, Specialist in Humanities, or International Services were not permitted to work as a driver.
*It is possible to work as a driver if you have a Designated Activities Type 46 visa, but in order to obtain this visa you need to graduate from a Japanese university and have passed the Japanese Language Proficiency Test N1 level, which makes it quite difficult to obtain.
Consultant Narika Kumano
This measure is expected to make it easier to employ foreign workers in the transportation industry and help alleviate the labor shortage in the industry. However, in order to obtain a specific skills residence status, you are required to take an exam to prove certain skills and knowledge.
This article provides detailed information about the specific skills requirements and exams for the automobile transportation industry.
Car transport industry jobs
Jobs in the automobile transportation industry that qualify for specific skills include:Truck drivers, taxi drivers, bus driversAnd so on.
If it becomes possible to work as a driver with a specific skill residence status, more foreigners will be able to work as drivers in Japan. However, in order to be active as a driver, in addition to a Class 1 driver's license, you will also need a Class 2 driver's license, which is required to drive a passenger vehicle such as a bus, taxi, or private hire vehicle.
Status of residence and other conditions required for foreigners
In order for foreigners to work in the automobile transportation industry,Specific Skill 1You need to obtain a residence status.
To obtain this status of residence, you must demonstrate a certain level of skill and Japanese language proficiency. Currently, the requirement for specific skills residence status is level N4 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (a level that allows one to understand basic Japanese) or level N3 (a level that allows one to understand Japanese used in everyday situations to a certain extent). However, in order to obtain a Class XNUMX driver's license, a more advanced level of Japanese language proficiency is required, which is likely to be an issue.
In addition, in order to obtain a specific skills status in the automobile transportation industry, a certain level of skill must be met. This includes not only driving skills, but also knowledge of relevant laws and safety management, as well as meeting the qualification requirements set for each job.
For trucks
In order to obtain a Specified Skills No. 1 status of residence in the trucking industry, a person is required to have a Class 4 driver's license and level NXNUMX or higher on the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT). In addition, if you want to drive a medium-sized truck, you need to obtain a medium-sized truck license. To obtain a medium-sized truck license, you need to be over 20 years old and have at least two years of driving experience. In addition, if you want to drive a large truck, you need to obtain a large truck license, and you need to be over 2 years old and have at least three years of driving experience.
By taxi
In order to obtain Specified Skills No. 1 status of residence as a taxi driver, a regular driver's license and level N3 or higher on the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) are required. You will also be required to have customer service etiquette and safe driving skills.
By bus
In order to obtain Specified Skills No. 1 status of residence as a bus driver, a large vehicle license and level N3 or higher on the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) are required. You will also need to undergo training on safe driving.
Specific Skills No. 1 - Automobile Transport Industry Examination
The Specified Skills No. 1 Examination for the Automobile Transportation Industry evaluates the skills and knowledge necessary for foreigners to work in the automobile transportation industry. The exam consists of two parts: a written test and a practical test, and tests driving skills, knowledge of relevant laws, and knowledge of safety management. By passing the exam, you will be granted Specified Skills No. 1 status of residence and will be able to work legally in Japan.
For trucks
In order to obtain the Specified Skills No. 1 status of residence as a truck driver, you must pass the Specified Skills No. 1 exam. The exam assesses driving skills and related knowledge and consists of two parts: a written test and a practical test. The written test tests knowledge of the Road Traffic Act, the Labor Standards Act, and safe driving theory. The practical exam evaluates actual driving skills and cargo loading and unloading skills.
By taxi
In order to obtain the Specified Skills No. 1 status of residence as a taxi driver, you must pass the Specified Skills No. 1 examination. The exam assesses your driving skills and knowledge of customer service. The written exam covers the theory of road traffic laws, service etiquette, and safe driving. The practical exam evaluates your driving skills while ensuring the safety of passengers, as well as your customer service etiquette.
By bus
In order to obtain the Specified Skills No. 1 status of residence as a bus driver, you must pass the Specified Skills No. 1 examination. This test assesses your driving skills and knowledge of safe driving. The written exam covers theories on road traffic laws and safe driving. The practical exam evaluates bus operation skills and abilities to ensure passenger safety.
Standards and requirements that companies must meet
Companies that accept foreign workers on specific skills visas are required to meet legally defined standards.
Conditions for business establishments that accept specific skills
The standards that companies that accept specific skilled workers must meet include the size of the establishment, its management status, and the state of the working environment. For example, in the case of the truck transportation industry, businesses are required to have an appropriate operations management system in place. It is also important that measures are taken to ensure the safety of workers.
Driver Work Environment Quality Certification System
The Driver Workplace Environment Quality Certification System is a system that certifies that companies are improving the working environment for their drivers. Obtaining this certification gives companies an advantage when hiring specific skilled workers. To obtain certification, drivers are required to manage their working hours, implement safety measures, and improve working conditions. By meeting these standards, companies can improve their working environment.
New driver training is also important
New driver training plays an important role when foreign workers with specific skills start working for a company. In this training, participants will not only improve their driving skills, but also learn about Japan's working environment and culture. Through training, foreign workers will understand company rules and etiquette and be able to adapt smoothly to the workplace. For companies, new driver training is also an important step in increasing employee retention rates.
Efficient ways to accept specific skills
In order to efficiently accept foreign workers with specific skills, it is important for companies to make certain preparations.
First of all, it is necessary to improve the working environment and provide appropriate training. Obtaining certification for the driver's work environment and implementing training for new drivers are part of this effort. Measures also seem necessary to prevent trouble with taxi and bus users.
It is also important to establish a support system for foreign workers. For example, this includes setting up consultation desks regarding Japanese language education, daily life support, and working conditions. This will allow foreign workers to work with peace of mind, and also help companies increase worker retention rates.
Information regarding specific skills residence status should be shared and managed appropriately within the company. By complying with laws and regulations and providing appropriate working conditions, we can accept foreign workers with specific skills in a smooth manner.
In addition, in the field of specific skills nursing care, visiting services such as home care are not permitted. This is not covered from the perspective of reducing the risks of accidents and excessive work through proper operation management, protecting the human rights of both users and Type 1 specific skilled foreign nationals, and providing proper residence management. Similar troubles are expected to occur in the "automobile transportation" sector in the future, so it will likely be necessary to put in place a management system.
People working in the automobile transport industry on "specific activity visas"
In addition to those with specific skills residence status, the number of foreigners working in the automobile transportation industry as a specific activity is also increasing. Designated activities is a status of residence that allows you to stay in Japan to carry out specific activities, which may include working in the automobile transportation industry. To obtain this status of residence, driving skills and related knowledge are required, similar to the test for Specified Skills No. 1.
Companies are also required to meet standards and improve the working environment for foreigners with specific activities residence status. This includes obtaining certification for the driver work environment and implementing training for new drivers. Companies that accept foreign workers with specific activities can improve their working environment by meeting these requirements.
What kind of exam is required to obtain the Specified Skills No. 1 status of residence?
The Specified Skills No. 1 exam consists of two parts: a written exam and a practical exam. The written exam covers theories on the Road Traffic Act, the Labor Standards Act, and safe driving. The practical exam evaluates your actual driving skills and cargo loading and unloading skills.
What should companies do to prepare for accepting foreign workers with specific skills?
It is important to improve the working environment and provide appropriate training. They will be required to obtain certification for the driver's workplace environment, conduct training for new drivers, and establish a support system for foreign workers.
What is the difference between the "Designated Activities" status of residence and "Specified Skills No. 1" status of residence?
The Designated Activities status of residence allows people to stay in Japan to carry out specific activities, while Specified Skills No. 1 allows foreigners with specific skills to work in Japan for a certain period of time. Both require driving skills and related knowledge, but Specified Skills No. 1 is limited to certain occupations.
