Vo Van Hieu, 43, and Ho Van Quy, 33, have taken the wheel for Iyotetsu Bus, a local transport company in Matsuyama, under the country's Specified Skilled Worker program.
The two men joined Iyotetsu Bus in September 2025. After obtaining licenses for large passenger vehicles and completing extensive training in driving and customer service, they began operating selected routes on June 25.
On July 3, the pair visited the Ehime Prefectural Government offices alongside Iyotetsu Group President Ichiro Shimizu. During the meeting, Governor Tokihiro Nakamura welcomed the new drivers and expressed hope for their success in supporting public transportation in the prefecture, Iyotetsu announced in a press release posted on its official Facebook page.
Both Hieu and Quy previously lived in Japan as technical intern trainees and can communicate comfortably in Japanese. They are continuing to study the language while working and interacting with colleagues at the bus depot.
Vo Van Hieu (R) and Ho Van Quy, two Vietnamese drivers who have become Shikoku’s first foreign route bus drivers under Japan’s Specified Skilled Worker program. Photo coutersy of Iyotetsu Bus
