In an attempt to alleviate the scarcity of drivers, the transport ministry is collaborating with relevant government entities to incorporate driving buses as a specifically skilled occupation within the designated skilled foreign worker program, stated Minister Tetsuo Saito on Tuesday. At a press conference, Saito expressed the ministry's determination to ensure that both local residents and tourists have access to essential transportation options. Additionally, the ministry is contemplating recognizing the skills of driving taxis and trucks as specified skills that can grant foreign workers long-term residency in Japan. The government aims to revise the pertinent regulations by the end of fiscal year 2023, by March of the following year, to implement these changes. With the introduction of an annual overtime limitation of 960 hours for automobile driving positions in April, under the revised labor standards law, Japan is expected to face severe labor shortages within the transportation sector. Various trade groups representing bus, taxi, and truck services have urged the government to include vehicle driving as a specified skill within the program, which was initially established in 2019 as a means to secure workers and presently encompasses twelve sectors such as elderly care and restaurant services.