Logistics Service Provider Nakano Shokai Recruits Three Vietnamese Medium-duty Truck Drivers for Inter-company Transportation, Using Japan’s Specified Skilled Worker System

- Driver Duties to Begin from Atsugi Sales Office in June 2026 after Learning Period for Rules/Customs and Hands-on Training/Assistance -

Nakano Shokai Co., Ltd. based in Tokyo’s Edogawa-ku, a member of the logistics group led by Yamato Holdings Co., Ltd. headquartered in Tokyo’s Chuo-ku, hereby announces that it has recruited three Vietnamese nationals in their 20s and 30s as candidates for medium-duty truck drivers as Specified Skilled Workers (i). This initiative marks the first time for the Yamato Group to recruit non-Japanese drivers under Japan’s specified skilled worker system.

Logo: https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M106587/202601283206/_prw_PI4fl_5XGyvVuO.png

Photo 1: https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M106587/202601283206/_prw_PI5fl_IfX5ddZy.jpg

The average age of heavy-duty truck drivers in Japan is 50.9 years old, 6.8 years older than in all industries (*1), indicating a shortage of transportation capacity looming ahead in the logistics industry. As of March 2024, the Japanese government added motor vehicle transportation to the Specified Skilled Worker (i) status of residence in order to bring in non-Japanese workers who can make an immediate contribution in specific industrial fields where there is a serious shortage of labor.

About Nakano Shokai

Nakano Shokai provides reliable, 24-hour logistics services to corporate customers such as retailers and food manufacturers. After joining the Yamato Group in December 2024, Nakano Shokai has been working as part of a unified Group to expand the corporate business domain. The company also has a corporate mission to contribute to society through logistics and employment, and aims to create a work environment where a diverse range of employees, regardless of nationality, can play an active role and grow. To date, Nakano Shokai has hired non-Japanese talent from 11 countries, including South Korea, the Philippines and Vietnam -- all residents of Japan -- with about 40 non-Japanese employees supporting the company in warehouse work and administration.

Candidate recruitment and development

Nakano Shokai has recruited Vietnamese nationals who have Japanese-language skills equivalent to the N4 level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test and a driving license, especially those who have experience working in Japan  (*2). Furthermore, in order to support their stable lives in Japan and participation as a member of their local communities, a system is in place to provide support for daily life, led by Vietnamese employees working for Nakano Shokai.

1. Pre-hire training in Vietnam (February 2025 to January 2026)

- Studies in cooperation with a Japanese-language school in Vietnam to improve reading and listening comprehension for daily conversation

- Studies to obtain a Vietnamese medium-duty truck driving license (class C (*3) or higher)

- Monthly online interviews

2. Post-hire training in Japan (January 2026 to June 2026)

- Orientation on Japanese culture and rules using a manual jointly prepared by Japanese and Vietnamese employees

- Studies for converting a foreign driver's license to a Japanese driver's license

- Education on Japanese traffic rules and traffic culture

- Practical training in inter-company transportation through ride-along work in a Japanese truck driver's vehicle

3. Training for Japanese employees at Atsugi Sales Office (January 2026 to February 2026)

- Studies on residency status and working conditions

- Studies on safety education and communication, taking into account differences in culture and customs and the level of language understanding

Photo 2: Students taking Japanese-language course in Vietnam

https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M106587/202601283206/_prw_PI3fl_2eWL0qdD.jpg

Comments from the candidates: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/attach/202601283206-O1-S4042Ocx.pdf

Notes:

(*1) Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, "Drivers’ Work from Statistics"

URL: https://driver-roudou-jikan.mhlw.go.jp/truck/work

(*2) Nakano Shokai has entered into an agreement with CAMGLOBAL Inc. (head office: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo) regarding the development and recruitment of specified skilled foreign workers (in motor vehicle transportation), and contracted with BEITRE Co., Ltd. (head office: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo), a registered support organization for the specified skilled worker program, for recruitment and living support of specified skilled foreign workers in Japan.

(*3) Equivalent to a Japanese medium-duty driver's license