Pyae Son, 26, began his work as the first-ever foreign national bus driver in Japan’s Shizuoka Prefecture, saying that he will prioritize his passengers’ safety overall.
“I’ll guarantee safe and joy rides for the passengers and try my best to set a good example,” Pyae Son told DVB, adding that he arrived in Japan in April 2025, and has since been learning Japanese at a language school.
After receiving a driver’s license, Pyae Son then applied for a job as a bus driver at Fuji Kyuko Shizuoka Bus Company. It was announced on social media that Pyae Son officially began operating public route buses in Fuji, Japan, on Oct. 19.
The images the company shared quickly attracted a lot of attention online, with many Japanese people welcoming the announcement. Driving a public bus in Japan involves specialized licensing, training, and responsibility for passenger safety.
“In Japan, not only men but also women work as bus operators,” Pyae Son told DVB, reflecting on how foreigners are beginning to fill important roles in Japan’s public transportation system due to the shortage of workers.
Pyae Son’s appointment to the job opens a new path and brings inspiration for other young people from Myanmar living in Japan.
According to the Foreign Resident Statistics survey published by the Japanese Ministry of Justice in December 2025, there are over 182,500 Myanmar nationals living in Japan.
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