'%3E%3Cpath%20stroke='%23000'%20stroke-width='4'%20d='m-35-37-13%2020m5%203%2013-20m5%203-13%2020m63%2042%206-9m1-2%206-9m5%203-6%209m-1%202-6%209m5%203%206-9m1-2%206-9m-96%200%2013%2020m5-3-6-9m-1-2-6-9m5-3%2013%2020m63-42-6-9m-1-2-6-9m5-3%2013%2020m5-3-6-9m-1-2-6-9'/%3E%3Ccircle%20r='24'%20fill='%23cd2e3a'/%3E%3Cpath%20fill='%230047a0'%20d='M0%200a12%2012%200%201%201%2020%2013%2024%2024%200%201%201-40-26A12%2012%200%201%200%200%200'/%3E%3C/g%3E%3C/svg%3E){kind=small}
Blog
For foreign nationals working as taxi drivers or bus drivers under Specified Skilled Worker (i), Japanese proficiency equivalent to or higher than B1 of the “Reference Framework for Japanese Language Education” is generally required. However, there is a system where A2.2 equivalent (such as Japanese-Language Proficiency Test N4) may be accepted if certain conditions are met.
The Immigration Services Agency (hereinafter, the ISA) partially revised the operational guidelines for the automobile transport industry sector on October 9, 2026, and updated the sector’s webpage (displaying “As of October 9, 2026”). When our office confirmed on October 3, 2026, the Japanese language requirement for taxis and buses on this page was stated as “Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (N3 or higher),” but now, the B1 equivalent requirement and the conditions for accepting A2.2 equivalent are presented side-by-side.
This article, based on the operational guidelines and sector-specific operational policies, clarifies the conditions under which A2.2 equivalent is accepted, the necessary documents, and the process from entry to starting work, for both transport operators considering acceptance and foreign nationals themselves.
The Specified Skilled Worker (i) in the automobile transport industry sector has three job categories: truck driver, taxi driver, and bus driver. The Japanese language proficiency levels are as follows:
| Job Category | General Rule | Proficiency Level Accepted if Conditions are Met |
|---|---|---|
| Truck Driver | A2.2 equivalent or higher (Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese A2.2 equivalent or higher, or Japanese-Language Proficiency Test N4 or higher) | ― |
| Taxi Driver | B1 equivalent or higher (Limited to cases where Japanese-Language Proficiency Test N3 or higher / CEFR B1 equivalent or higher is assessed) | A2.2 equivalent (Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese A2.2 equivalent, or Japanese-Language Proficiency Test N4) + Japanese Language Learning Plan + Accompaniment by a Japanese Language Supporter |
| Bus Driver | B1 equivalent or higher (Same as above) | A2.2 equivalent + Japanese Language Learning Plan + Accompaniment by a Japanese Language Supporter (Solo driving may be permitted with conditions for buses in remote island and peninsula regions). Chartered buses are not covered. |
Key points to note are as follows:
The overall picture of when B1 verification will begin is covered in “Specified Skilled Worker Japanese B1 | Required from April 2027 for Certificate of Eligibility Applications.”
The operational guidelines require that all of the following conditions be met for taxi and bus drivers to be accepted at A2.2 equivalent:
There are exceptions for buses (excluding chartered buses). According to the operational guidelines, only in remote island and peninsula regions, foreign drivers equivalent to A2.2 can operate alone without a Japanese language supporter accompanying them, provided the following conditions are met.
The remote islands and peninsulas referred to here are those defined by the Act on Promotion of Remote Islands, the Act on Special Measures for the Promotion and Development of Amami Islands, the Act on Special Measures for the Promotion and Development of Ogasawara Islands, and the Act on Special Measures for the Promotion of Okinawa, as well as the peninsula promotion areas under the Act on Promotion of Peninsulas. The operational guidelines state that not all areas of municipalities listed in the designation list are necessarily covered, and therefore, confirmation with the relevant municipalities is required.
The documents subject to confirmation as listed in the operational guidelines are as follows:
| Category | Document |
|---|---|
| Skill Level | Copy of Certificate of Passing the Specified Skilled Worker (i) Evaluation Test for Automobile Transportation Industry (Taxi or Bus) / Copy of Class 2 Driver’s License / Document certifying completion of New Driver Training (prepared by the National Federation of Hire-Taxi Associations or the Japan Bus Association) |
| Japanese Language (B1 equivalent or higher) | Copy of Certificate of Passing the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (N3 or higher) |
| Japanese Language (A2.2 equivalent) | Copy of Judgment Result Notification for Japanese Language Basic Test (A2.2 equivalent), or Copy of Certificate of Passing the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (N4) (not required for those who have successfully completed Technical Intern Training (ii)) |
| Specific Requirements for A2.2 Equivalent | Japanese Language Learning Plan certified by the Subcommittee (Sectoral Reference Form No. 15-16) / Cooperation Agreement (Sectoral Reference Form No. 15-17) *Cooperation Agreement is not required if a Japanese language supporter accompanies the driver |
When changing from Designated Activities (referred to as ‘Preparation for Specified Automobile Transportation Business’ below) to Specified Skilled Worker (i), some submissions may not be required. Please check the latest list of required documents.
Driving a taxi or bus requires a Japanese Class 2 Driver’s License and completion of new driver training. Therefore, individuals who meet requirements other than obtaining a license and completing training can enter and reside in Japan under an employment contract with an accepting organization, with the Status of Residence ‘Designated Activities’ (Preparation for Specified Automobile Transportation Business).
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Permitted Activities | Procedures for obtaining a license by attending a driving school or converting a foreign license / Completion of new driver training (taxi/bus) / Related duties such as vehicle cleaning |
| Maximum Period of Stay | 1 year for taxis/buses, 6 months for trucks |
| Total 5 years for Specified Skilled Worker (i) | The period of these Designated Activities is not included in the total |
| Next Procedure | Once the license is obtained and new driver training is completed (meeting the criteria for effectiveness assessment), promptly apply for a Change of Status of Residence to Specified Skilled Worker (i), even if the Period of Stay remains. |
According to the operational guidelines, the eligibility for the Class 2 Driver’s License examination is generally 21 years of age or older, currently holding a regular driver’s license or similar, with a cumulative driving experience of 3 years or more (including overseas driving experience). Upon completion of special training, individuals aged 19 or older with a cumulative experience of 1 year or more can take the examination. Procedures and required documents for converting a foreign license vary by country, so please confirm with the driver’s license center of each prefectural police.
The concept of the total period for Specified Skilled Worker (i) is discussed in ‘Total 5 Years for Specified Skilled Worker (i) | Periods Not Counted and Extension to 6 Years‘.
The Sectoral Operational Policy and the Immigration Services Agency’s sector-specific page impose the following additional conditions on accepting organizations in the automobile transportation industry, in addition to the common standards for all sectors.
The sectoral operational policy sets the estimated number of acceptances (acceptance cap) for the automobile transportation industry at 22,100 people (for the five years from Reiwa 6 (2024) to Reiwa 10 (2028)).
According to Immigration Services Agency statistics (as of the end of June 2026), among the 3,346 Specified Skilled Worker (i) in Miyazaki Prefecture, 0 are in the automobile transportation industry. Nationwide, there are only 558 people, which is still a small number compared to the Nursing Care field (79,884 people) and the Food and Beverage Manufacturing Industry (100,769 people).
When considering accepting Specified Skilled Worker as taxi or route bus drivers in the prefecture, preparations should be made in the following order:
The overall picture of Specified Skilled Worker in the prefecture is covered in “Miyazaki’s Specified Skilled Worker (i) total 3,346 | By Sector as of End of June 2026.”
Q1. Can I become a taxi driver with only Japanese-Language Proficiency Test N4?
The operational guidelines state that an A2.2 equivalent (such as N4) is permitted if all of the following conditions are met: it is not a chartered bus, a Japanese language learning plan reviewed by a subcommittee is created, and a Japanese language supporter accompanies the driver. It is not permitted unconditionally with only N4.
Q2. Can anyone be a Japanese language supporter?
The operational guidelines assume individuals employed by the company for 6 months or more (e.g., retired drivers in administrative positions, relief drivers for highway buses). Individuals employed for less than 6 months can also accompany if they receive training on safety and customer service and meet the effectiveness measurement standards set by industry organizations.
Q3. Can chartered bus drivers also be accepted at an A2.2 equivalent level?
The operational guidelines state that one of the requirements for accepting at an A2.2 equivalent level is “not a chartered bus.” Chartered bus drivers require B1 equivalent or higher.
Q4. What happens to those who have completed Technical Intern Training (ii)?
Regardless of the type of job or task, individuals who have successfully completed Technical Intern Training (ii) are treated as having A2.2 equivalent Japanese proficiency for the time being and do not need to take a separate exam. In this case, they must meet the same requirements as for A2.2 equivalent (not a chartered bus, Japanese language learning plan, accompaniment by a Japanese language supporter, or the exception for buses on remote islands/peninsulas).
For Specified Skilled Worker (i) taxi and bus drivers, B1 equivalent Japanese proficiency or higher is the general rule. The operational guidelines revised on October 9, 2026, state that an A2.2 equivalent is permitted if all three conditions are met: not a chartered bus, a Japanese language learning plan, and accompaniment by a Japanese language supporter. For buses in remote island and peninsula regions, solo driving is also permitted under conditions such as the entire service area being within the region and cooperation agreements from each municipality, along with the necessary documents. Confirmation of B1 equivalent will begin with Application for Certificate of Eligibility submitted on or after April 1, 2027, and the handling of changes and extensions is under consideration. It is important for businesses considering acceptance to promptly establish their certification acquisition, learning plan and supporter system, and license and training period.
💴 Support fees for Application for Certificate of Eligibility, Application for Change of Status of Residence, and Application for Extension of Period of Stay for Specified Skilled Worker are listed in the “Fee” section. The first consultation is free for up to 60 minutes.
Our firm, an Administrative Scrivener Corporation in Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture, assists with the organization of acceptance systems and residence procedures for Specified Skilled Worker.
For procedures that can be filed online, such as applications for a Certificate of Eligibility, change of status of residence and extension of period of stay, we accept requests from clients nationwide. Meetings are held online (Google Meet, LINE) and documents are exchanged by mail or electronically, so there is no need to visit our office. Applications for Permission for Permanent Residence and for Permission of Naturalization cannot be filed online and must be submitted at the counter, so they are limited to residents of Miyazaki Prefecture. Depending on the procedure and its urgency, you may need to collect your Residence Card at the counter of the immigration office covering the area where you live. Online applications cannot be filed on the last day of your period of stay, so please consult us as early as possible.
Please feel free to use our free consultation service first.
📞 To book a phone consultation: 0985-68-0851
This article is written based on publicly available information as of October 2026. Details of the system and implementation dates may change in the future. For actual applications, please confirm with the official information from the Immigration Services Agency or our office.
Author of this article: Administrative Scrivener Authorized to File Applications, Satoshi Nakayama
Representative, Administrative Scrivener Corporation Miyazaki International Legal Office
Location: Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture
Before you submit, let us take a look.
Free Immigration Pre-Submission Check ›
For those who will apply for a status of residence at the Immigration Services Bureau by themselves. Before you submit, we check your application form and supporting documents and tell you about any missing documents and points to watch. We accept checks online (Google Meet, about 20 minutes) or via LINE.
・Eligible: applications for a Certificate of Eligibility, change of status of residence and extension of period of stay (applications for permanent residence are accepted only from residents of Miyazaki Prefecture). Naturalization is not covered.
・Online (Google Meet): once per application. Replies via LINE: available for the same application until you submit it.
・Our guideline for replies via LINE is, in principle, within 2 business days (we are closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays; replies may take longer when we are busy).
・Please send copies of your documents by LINE or email. For your residence card, send the front side only; please do not send the side showing your My Number.
・What we tell you is our office’s opinion. It does not guarantee approval; the outcome depends on the decision of the Immigration Services Bureau.
・We only point out missing documents and points to watch. We do not prepare or rewrite your application documents for you or draft text for them, and we do not tell you whether your application is likely to be approved (if you would like to engage us, we will introduce the Self-Prep Course, the Light Plan and the Standard Plan).
・If we find that a document contains information that is not true, or that the application is not your own (or a family member’s), we will decline the check.
