First foreign tour bus driver in Japan via skilled worker program.

Japan's expanded residence program now allows foreigners, like Iyus, to work as specified skilled workers, including tour bus drivers.

The expanded status of residence program in Japan is opening doors for foreigners looking to work here. One major route is the specified skilled worker program, designed for fields like nursing, manufacturing, and now, **automobile and transportation**. The program’s recent expansion includes this new category, leading to Japan's first specified skilled foreign tour bus driver.

Meet **Iyus**, the 40-year-old Indonesian who aced the SSW automobile and transportation business test, making him a trailblazer. He came to Japan in 2013 for language studies and worked in travel services before joining Nikko Kanko, aiming to drive. His achievement reflects the requirement of having **Japanese proficiency for daily and workplace use**, which he fulfilled through the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test just before his exam. “**Becoming a professional driver is a dream come true**,” Iyus expressed. He’s ready to hit the roads for Nikko Bus in Tokyo come April.

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