Kosaido Business Support Launches Program to Structurally Solve Foreign Driver Hiring Challenges Through New MOU

Kosaido Business Support Co., Ltd., a group company of Kosaido Holdings, Inc., has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Mizubara Driving School Co., Ltd. based in Agano City, Niigata, and Nihon Kyoiku Kiki Hanbai Kanto Co., Ltd., an agency for driving school camps. The purpose is to promote the training and acceptance of foreign driver talent.

Through this agreement, the company will launch a full-scale training scheme that provides comprehensive support for foreign nationals trained at its partner Japanese language schools across Asia, covering everything from pre-arrival education to post-arrival driver's license acquisition and on-site assignment.

The initiative aims to structurally solve challenges in hiring foreign drivers, such as 'can't get a license,' 'unusable on-site,' and 'don't stay long.'

While the expanded use of the Specified Skilled Worker system has increased focus on hiring foreign drivers, on-site challenges remain regarding Japanese language proficiency, the certainty of license acquisition, and adaptation to Japan's traffic environment. Stricter rules for converting foreign licenses have recently increased the uncertainty of obtaining a license.

Against this backdrop, the company determined that a 'training design' premised on everything from license acquisition to on-the-job success is essential, leading to this partnership.

**Three Reasons to Choose This Initiative**

1. **Planned Training with License Acquisition in Mind**
In collaboration with the driving school, the program systematizes Japanese traffic rules, driving manners, and written exam preparation. By providing education geared towards passing the provisional license exam before arrival in Japan, it minimizes the biggest risk of 'hired but can't get a license.'

2. **Safety Education Not Left to the Field**
Direct instruction is provided at Mizubara Driving School in Japan. By conducting safety driving and hazard prediction training (KYT), drivers acquire a 'driving consciousness to prevent accidents in the Japanese road environment.'

3. **Drastically Reduces Burden on HR and On-site Staff**
The company centrally manages the entire process from recruitment to education and license acquisition. By handling complex coordination and follow-up, it reduces the burden on HR and site managers, achieving stable employment based on retention.

**Program Overview**

The established system allows talent trained at Japanese language schools in Asia to obtain a Japanese driver's license through the following flow after arriving in Japan:

1. Take the 'Provisional License Written Exam' at the local driver's license center.
2. After passing, travel to Mizubara Driving School in Niigata for a training camp.
3. Obtain a Japanese driver's license in a short period and begin employment.

The training camp license program starts from a minimum of 14 days for an automatic transmission car, including meals and accommodation. Large vehicle licenses can be obtained sequentially after getting a standard license.

**Social Significance**

The driver shortage is a social infrastructure issue that affects logistics and public transportation. This initiative presents a new option to support a sustainable logistics and transportation system by utilizing foreign talent.

**Strengths of Mizubara Driving School**

It boasts a vast training course, offers instruction for all vehicle license types, and can also conduct training for work licenses like forklifts. It provides a comfortable learning environment and hospitality services, including buffet-style meals.

**Strengths of Nihon Kyoiku Kiki Hanbai Kanto**

Founded in 1981, the company has former driving instructors on staff and extensive experience supporting foreign nationals in obtaining licenses.

**Future Development**

Going forward, the company will expand the program to more countries and broaden its scope to include large-vehicle and type-2 licenses. It will strengthen its end-to-end support system from education to employment, contributing to the creation of opportunities for foreign talent and the stability of Japan's logistics and transportation infrastructure.