Life Behind the Wheel As a Taxi Driver in Japan
The freedom of the open road is enough to get engines revving with excitement. However, to get a job as a taxi driver, you’ll have to really step on the gas when it comes to studying Japanese. From reading important road signs to communicating effectively with passengers, sharp language skills are a must. If you have the confidence though, working as a taxi driver in Japan can be rewarding thanks to the freedom and decent pay that it provides. Hinomaru Taxi claims that the commission based salary can reach up to 7.8 million yen per year.
If you like working outside of a typical office environment, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the city. This type of job may be right for you, if you have the Japanese language skills needed. In addition to a Japanese drivers license that has been issued at least three years ago, you will need Business Level Japanese (JLPT N2). We have courses to help get you started here.
Why should you work as a Taxi Driver in Japan?
Life in the Big City
Unlike other jobs like farming or manufacturing, being a taxi driver in Japan gives you the opportunity to work in large cities across Japan. Even in the largest cities have a fascinating mix of traditional culture and modern life that make each day fresh and exciting. Tokyo is unlike any other city in the world, and the opportunity of living there is well worth the cost of a drivers license. There is an estimated 260,000 number of registered taxi drivers across the nation, and about 35,000 of them are in Tokyo alone. Could you be one of them?
Freedom of the Road
If you can handle the traffic, working in Japan as a taxi driver allows a great amount of freedom. Choose your own hours and work at your own pace. If you feel like taking it slow one day, go ahead! Need the extra cash? Sit yourself behind the wheel for some extra hours. Choose between day shifts or night shifts that fit your lifestyle or needs.
Tourism Market
Tourism in Japan has been increasing drastically as people from around the world flock to experience the country and all of its beauty. Tourists have increased from about 7 million in 2012 to over 30 million in 2018. As the Olympics approach, that number is expected to grow even more, and they will need convenient ways to get around.
The Japanese Experience
Life in Japan is unique in many ways, and for a taxi driver, that is especially true. While cursing around the city, you will see more in a than most people see in a year. The experience provides an opportunity to gain a different perspective of cities in Japan. The culture of every day life here also makes the job a bit easier for cab drivers in general, as most people are clean and courteous. Another bonus is how people line up patiently for taxi rides, and there are plenty of hotspots around busy stations and attractions to wait for passengers.
To work as a taxi driver, you will need.
- Business Level Japanese
- Business Level English
- Japanese Residency
- Drivers License (acquired over years ago)
- Strong understanding of traffic laws and safety regulations
Study with us and learn the Japanese necessary to take the wheel and work in Japan as a taxi driver!
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