Key Facts
• June 2025: Six Vietnamese workers join JR West Technos for skill training.
• 2024: Japan adds ‘railway sector’ to its Specified Skilled Worker program.
• 2024: JR West and Nippon Travel launch ‘Global Talent Utilization Promotion Project.’
• 2025: Nippon Travel hosts online seminar on foreign workforce integration.
• 2026: JR West plans to continue hiring foreign workers annually.
• Vietnamese workers undergo forklift and crane certification post-employment.
• Nippon Travel collaborates with eight Asian countries for talent recruitment.
• Vietnam’s railway network spans over 2,500 kilometers, fostering cultural exchange.
• JR West highlights benefits: labor shortage resolution, innovation, and image enhancement.
• Nippon Travel’s initiative aligns with ‘Five-Way Satisfaction’ business philosophy.
Summary
JR West and Nippon Travel have launched a groundbreaking initiative to address labor shortages in Japan’s railway sector by integrating foreign talent. In June 2025, six Vietnamese workers joined JR West Technos, marking the start of a new era. This effort is supported by Japan’s Specified Skilled Worker program, which expanded to include the railway sector in 2024. Nippon Travel’s ‘Global Talent Utilization Promotion Project’ aims to recruit and train workers from eight Asian countries, emphasizing cultural exchange and mutual growth. The project reflects Nippon Travel’s ‘Five-Way Satisfaction’ philosophy, benefiting all stakeholders. JR West plans to continue hiring foreign workers annually, with a focus on skill development and long-term engagement. This initiative not only addresses labor shortages but also fosters innovation and strengthens Japan’s global image.
