Photo/Illutration Iyus at the wheel of a bus on Feb. 5 in Okayama. (Hiroshi Ono)

An Indonesian became the first person to pass Japan’s professional bus driver test under a new visa program designed to bring more foreign workers to labor-strapped industries.

Iyus, 40, employed by Nikko Kanko Bus Co. in Tokyo, was the sole applicant in the coach operator category in the screening process in December for the “specified skills” visa.

The automobile transport sector last year was named a specified industry field covered under the new visa.

CHERISHED DREAM

After graduating from college in Indonesia, Iyus arrived in Japan in 2013.

“I studied Japanese hard to watch my favorite anime titles, such as ‘Dragon Ball,’ ‘Rurouni Kenshin’ and ‘Slam Dunk,’” he said.

Iyus enrolled in a Japanese language school and then worked at a travel agency as a tour conductor.

“When I sat next to a bus driver, I dreamed of becoming one of them because, to me, coach drivers look as cool as pilots,” Iyus said.

He drew closer to his dream last year when transportation services, including buses and taxis, were added to the “specified skills I” visa division.

Iyus switched companies and joined Nikko Kanko Bus, an affiliate of the Ryobi Group, headquartered in Okayama.

He said he received his notification of acceptance as a professional coach driver in January.

“I am so happy that it feels like a dream,” Iyus said. “I will be providing passengers with safe and comfortable rides while following the rules.”

Iyus is currently undergoing in-house training for driving duties by year-end.

Ryobi Group embarked on a large-scale recruitment campaign in June 2023 for new crew members. By June 2024, 216 people had been hired.

The second season of the recruiting drive started in November with the goal of hiring 200 people within one year.

Twenty-nine workers had joined the company by January.
Ryobi Group’s 14 affiliated companies employ 69 foreign workers.

“Nationality and gender are irrelevant as long as applicants are positive, motivated and diligent,” said Shinji Ogami, deputy manager of Ryobi Group’s transportation and travel department. “We will be committed to making Ryobi a top choice for workers the world over.”

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