Abashiri Bus in Abashiri, Hokkaido has hired the prefecture’s first foreign-born bus driver, Will Strong, a 40-year-old Indonesian, who is set to debut soon. The hire comes amid a severe driver shortage that has led to service reductions across the region. Strong came from Jakarta and previously ran a restaurant and taught Japanese; he moved to Japan last autumn and grew fond of the country, choosing to join Abashiri Bus after Japan revised residency rules to allow more foreign workers. He is now in training and eager to contribute to the country he loves, leaving his family back home.