Growing up in Canada, Greg Stinson never imagined he would one day become a taxi driver — especially not on the other side of the world in Tokyo.
“I didn’t have some childhood dream to be a taxi driver,” said the 34-year-old, who joined cab firm Hiro Kotsu Co. late last August. “People have negative opinions and not-so-negative opinions about the taxi industry, but it seemed really interesting as a way for me to have a new experience in Japan.”
Hiro , which operates in Tokyo and Kanagawa Prefecture, began actively recruiting non-Japanese drivers last spring. The company already employed a handful of drivers from overseas and had been impressed with their performance. It was also keen to capitalize on the record number of tourists that have been flocking to Japan.
Like many sectors in the country, the taxi industry is feeling the effects of the labor crunch caused …
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