With Japan on April 1 beginning to enforce strict limits on drivers' working hours, the country is grappling with what has become known as the "2024 problem."
The situation has left bus operators with a critical shortage of drivers, forcing them to cut back service and cancel a slew of routes.
In late March, a recruitment drive for bus drivers convened in the heart of Tokyo, with 22 companies participating.
A human resources representative from one company captured the gravity of the situation. "If we don't hire a minimum of 25 drivers," the representative said, "turning a profit becomes an uphill battle."
Fueled by a commitment to uphold local transportation needs and cater to tourists, bus operators are scrambling to reevaluate their recruitment strategies and labor practices in a relentless quest to secure much-needed driving talent.
