Uzbekistan Proud Academy Selected as a Best Practice for Promoting Specified Skilled Workers in the Road Transport Sector by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism

■ Japanese language education at UPA Against the backdrop of a severe labor shortage in Japanese domestic industries, our company signed an international labor agreement with the Agency for External Labor Migration under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan (hereinafter, 'the Uzbek government') in September 2025 regarding the development of Specified Skilled Worker talent. In cooperation with the Uzbek government, we are proceeding with an initiative to screen Uzbek candidates for their conduct, enthusiasm for work, and affinity for Japanese culture, train those who pass locally (overseas training), and accept those who meet certain standards as 'job-ready Specified Skilled Worker talent.' In February 2026, with strong support from the Uzbek government, we opened the training school 'UZBEKISTAN PROUD ACADEMY' (hereinafter 'UPA') to realize the training and domestic acceptance of Specified Skilled Worker drivers in the road transport sector. We are currently constructing a Japanese-style driving school on its premises, capable of conducting driving exercises with 10 medium-sized trucks. Recently, the above initiative was selected as a 'best practice that contributes to the promotion of acceptance and dispatch of Specified Skilled Worker drivers' by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism for the road transport sector and was published on the ministry's website on the page of the Council for Specified Skilled Workers in the Road Transport Sector. [MLIT WEB] Second Meeting of the Council for Specified Skilled Workers in the Road Transport Sector (March 9, 2026) *Our case is introduced on slide 26 of Document 3, 'Survey Results and On-site Investigation Report on the Status of Acceptance of Foreign Human Resources,' under '[Uzbekistan] Angren Vocational Training School.' From Alberto Okamura, Director in charge of this initiative ■ Alberto Okamura, Director, Proud Partners Inc. I am greatly honored that our initiative has been featured as a case study by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. Our daily lives are supported by logistics. The packages that arrive every day as a matter of course are made possible by the drivers who continue to run, unseen. However, this 'matter of course' is now beginning to crumble. There aren't enough people. So we hire. I have felt that this alone will not solve the problem. When I actually visited logistics and transport companies, I was told that a common trait among drivers with low accident rates is that they 'love cars.' They handle their vehicles with care to avoid damage, notice the slightest abnormalities, and request maintenance themselves. Such an attitude is unlikely to be found in personnel who are gathered solely by salary conditions. In this respect, the Republic of Uzbekistan (hereinafter, Uzbekistan) is a very unique country. Unlike the motorcycle-centric societies of Southeast Asia, it has a culture of driving cars daily, and many people hold medium-sized vehicle licenses. Furthermore, as a landlocked country, being a driver is a common profession, and it has produced many drivers for Europe and other overseas countries. In addition, Uzbekistan is ranked No. 1 in the world for 'work engagement' at 45.26%, highlighting the high level of proactivity and motivation towards work. (Source: Gallup 'State of the Global Workplace') In other words, Uzbekistan has many people who 'love driving before it is a job, and have a high passion for their work.' I believe this very point holds great value for Japan's logistics, where safety is paramount. Our initiative is not just about sending out personnel. We have designed it as an integrated process from selection to education and employment in Japan, and we are proceeding with the determination to 'take full responsibility for their development.' This initiative has just begun. Even so, we have taken a step forward to protect the 'matter of course' of the future. We will support Japanese society together with foreign talent. We will continue this challenge, facing both the responsibility and the potential. About the development of Specified Skilled Worker talent in cooperation with the Uzbek government This initiative aims to solve the challenges faced by both Uzbekistan and Japan, shaping the 'future of Japan' together with foreign talent through overseas training and a circular human resource service. We will start with the road transport sector and plan to expand to the construction industry. Eventually, we also envision providing comprehensive support for Japanese companies considering entering the Uzbek market. In the road transport sector, in cooperation with the Uzbek government, trainees at the local training school 'UPA' will undergo a 6-month Japanese language course. In addition, by the autumn of 2026, they will receive practical training on safety education and driving skills (2-4 months) based on Japanese laws and standards. They will learn Japanese-style safe driving techniques, manners, traffic rules, and emergency responses from the ground up, based on Japanese traffic rules, to become job-ready Specified Skilled Worker drivers who can support Japan's domestic transportation network. This will enable domestic transport companies to hire even safer and more secure Specified Skilled Worker talent (truck drivers). Background Japan ・Driver shortage ・The 'Road Transport' category for Specified Skilled Workers was opened in April 2024, and the government expects to accept up to 24,500 people over five years. However, due to the strict hiring conditions unique to the transport industry, only 40 Specified Skilled Worker (i) were employed by companies as of the end of August 2025, indicating slow progress in acceptance. Republic of Uzbekistan ・After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Republic of Uzbekistan declared independence on August 31, 1991. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who took office in 2016, has reversed the isolationist policies, strict foreign exchange controls, and protectionism of the previous administration, steering the country towards a major opening-up policy, including economic liberalization. ・As a young democracy, its economy is primarily based on primary industries, with its nominal GDP ranking 68th in the world according to IMF estimates for 2025. The growth of domestic industries has not kept pace with the population growth rate, and the government has made foreign currency acquisition and lowering the youth unemployment rate one of its key policies. ・With domestic industries still immature, there is an expectation for young people to gain knowledge and expertise through overseas work that can contribute to the growth of domestic industries upon their return. Overview of the 'Specified Skilled Worker Development Project for the Road Transport Industry' Objective Proud Partners, in cooperation with the Uzbek government, will thoroughly educate on safe driving from the basics in this project to develop job-ready drivers (Specified Skilled Workers) who can support Japan's domestic transportation network. Features We provide a unique training program for the transport industry, conducting 8 months of Japanese language education and driving skill acquisition in Uzbekistan to develop job-ready drivers (Specified Skilled Workers) with safe driving skills. - A curriculum covering issues specific to the transport industry (fatigue management during long-distance driving, safe driving in bad weather, parking techniques in urban areas, etc.) - Thorough understanding of Japanese road signs and traffic rules (classroom and practical training) - Acquisition of practical driving skills for large vehicles (practical training using actual vehicles) - Emergency response training (simulations for accidents and emergencies) Division of Roles 1. Recruitment of candidates 2. Provision of educational facilities, vehicles, and training locations 1. Japanese language education 2. Education on driving skills and safety lectures Future Outlook A Japanese-style driving school capable of conducting driving exercises with 10 medium-sized trucks is under construction in Uzbekistan and is scheduled for completion in early summer. Eventually, comprehensive support for Japanese companies considering entering the Uzbek market. Realization of a circular human resource service (Uzbek nationals work in Japan, the Japanese companies that hired them expand to Uzbekistan, and the Uzbeks who worked in Japan return to work in Uzbekistan). Why Uzbekistan 1. A key country in Central Asia, also considered important by the Japanese government [Source] GALLUP World Poll of 140 countries (2022-2024, 3-year moving average) The Republic of Uzbekistan is located in Central Asia and has a very young population structure with a median age of 27 (see Figure 2). It strives to create employment opportunities while producing high-quality human resources through education. According to the latest international survey, it ranked first in the world for work engagement, being evaluated as 'the nation with the most passionate workers in the world.' Furthermore, the Japanese government has also indicated a policy to strengthen cooperation with the five Central Asian countries (Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan) and aims for economic cooperation of about 3 trillion yen over the next five years. Republic of Uzbekistan Japan Total Population Approx. 37 million Approx. 123.19 million Working-age Population Approx. 23.21 million *Approx. 62.6% of total population Approx. 73.57 million *59.5% of total population Median Age 27 years (Very young population structure) Approx. 49.8 years (High by global standards) Birth Rate 3.4 1.2 Work Engagement World No. 1, evaluated as 'the nation with the most passionate workers in the world' World No. 136, pointed out for lack of growth実感, conformity pressure, and low workplace vitality 2. Track record as a 'nation of drivers' Uzbekistan has produced many truck drivers for various European countries. Below is a list of the acceptance status in each country. The background to the success of Uzbek talent in so many countries lies in their diligence, driving skills, and a culture of not drinking alcohol. In Uzbekistan, an Islamic country, the risk of drunk driving is extremely low, which is another factor that enhances safety. ▼ Success of Uzbek drivers (acceptance status by country) Poland: 3,000 Latvia: 600 Lithuania: 500 Germany: 200 Romania: 200 Hungary: 150 Slovakia: 100 Bulgaria: 100 About UZBEKISTAN PROUD ACADEMY (UPA) ■ 'UZBEKISTAN PROUD ACADEMY (UPA)' opened on February 16, 2026 UPA aims to send safe and job-ready truck drivers (Specified Skilled Worker (i) talent) from Uzbekistan to Japan as part of the 'Specified Skilled Worker Development Project specializing in the transport industry,' which is being promoted with the Uzbek government. ■ Cafeteria ■ Schoolyard ■ Dormitory exterior UPA is an educational facility capable of training 700 people. To ensure that the trainees can learn practical Japanese, Japanese-style safe driving techniques, manners, traffic rules, and emergency responses from the basics with peace of mind, we have minimized the financial burden on the individuals and their families and arranged the educational and living environment, such as using dormitories provided by the Uzbek government. At UPA, in addition to a 6-month Japanese language course, trainees will, by the autumn of 2026 at the latest, undergo practical training on safety education and driving skills (2-4 months) based on Japanese laws and standards. They will learn Japanese-style safe driving techniques, manners, traffic rules, and emergency responses from the ground up, based on Japanese traffic rules, to become job-ready Specified Skilled Worker drivers who can support Japan's domestic transportation network. (The start time of training for driving skills, etc., varies depending on proficiency in Japanese language, etc.) Main features of UPA's education Educational policy: Practice of 'how to learn efficiently for long hours in a short period while maintaining student motivation' Thorough Japanese-style discipline training: Practice of 'pleasant greetings,' 'perfectly disciplined lifestyle,' etc. Regular 'morals' classes: To help trainees settle in and establish themselves as Specified Skilled Worker drivers in Japan, time is allocated to understand Japanese customs and sensibilities. Simulated fulfillment of legal obligations in the road transport industry (safety management, operation management obligations): Roll calls, confirmation of sufficient sleep and physical condition, alcohol checks, recitation practice of greetings essential for work, and radio calisthenics are conducted 'every day without fail.' ■ Lining up before radio calisthenics *Click here to see the radio calisthenics About Proud Partners Inc. Proud Partners Inc. is a top-tier company in the industry, aiming to create a system where foreign talent can work fairly and borderlessly and contribute to Japanese society. It boasts a track record of supporting over 5,700 individuals in the Specified Skilled Worker field, mainly in the construction and food service industries, for 1,381 companies and 3,624 stores. 'You can't choose where you are born, but you can choose where you live later.' ——We value this way of thinking and aim to be a company that can support that choice, developing our services accordingly. Company Profile Company Name: Proud Partners Inc. Established: July 2012 Address: Shinjuku Head Office (28F Shinjuku Front Tower, 2-21-1 Kita-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo) TEL: 03-5937-5812 FAX: 03-5937-5813 Business Activities: 1) Specialized recruitment for Specified Skilled Workers, 2) Registered support organization services Representative Director: Ryuji Suzuki Capital: 100 million yen (as of June 2024) Number of Employees: 126 *Including offshore members HP https://proudcorp.com/ Supplementary Information 1. About the Specified Skilled Worker System System Overview: A Japanese residency status system created to accept foreigners with certain expertise and skills in specific industrial fields where labor shortages are severe. It was introduced in April 2019, and as of 2025, residency status is granted for Category 1 in 16 fields and Category 2 in 11 fields. Purpose: To secure foreign labor in fields where it is difficult to secure domestic personnel and to support the economy. Residency Status (Visa Types): There are two types, Specified Skilled Worker (i) and Specified Skilled Worker (ii), with (ii) requiring higher expertise and skills than (i). ▼ Visa Types Specified Skilled Worker (i): For foreign workers with certain knowledge or experience in specific industrial fields, whose abilities are assessed through skills tests and Japanese language proficiency tests. Specified Skilled Worker (ii): For foreign workers under (i) who have advanced expertise and skills and wish to work in a (ii) field, allowing for a longer-term stay. Fields: Industries closely tied to social infrastructure, such as construction, shipbuilding/marine industry, agriculture, fishery, manufacturing, logistics, and nursing care. System Background: Created to respond to the worsening labor shortage and to maintain the sustainability of the economic and social infrastructure. Contact Information [For customer inquiries regarding the hiring of Specified Skilled Worker talent] https://proudcorp.com/contact/ [For media inquiries] Proud Partners Inc. President's Office (Contact: Aya Suzuki) Email: pr