Sanhar Nataliya, who is training to become a cab driver, is seen in the city of Akita on Sept. 2, 2021. (Mainichi/Kaho Shimokobe)

       AKITA -- A cab company in this northern Japan city is about to dispatch its first foreign female driver. The industry has few female drivers to begin with, and the firm's president is hoping more women will take after her in getting behind the wheel.

       In July, Sanhar Nataliya unexpectedly turned up at taxi company Akita Kent Kotu, and asked if the president or manager was available. Yoshiteru Terui, the president of the company, recalled, "I thought it was a taxi reservation." As he listened to her, Terui realized that she wanted a job, not a reservation, but he told her that they were not hiring clerks at that time. However, Nataliya wanted to be hired as a driver.

       A Ukrainian national, Nataliya has been living in Akita since 2006. She has worked in supermarkets, restaurants, and nursing facilities for the elderly. She said that she has always enjoyed driving, but why did she want to be a cab driver?

       Sanhar Nataliya, left, and Akita Kent Kotu President Yoshiteru Terui are seen in Akita on Sept. 2, 2021. (Mainichi/Kaho Shimokobe)

       It all started after the 44-year-old fell on a road during a snowstorm in February and broke her leg. Since Nataliya could no longer drive, she had to take taxis to the hospital more often. Terui also picked her up several times when he was driving.

       Nataliya recalled, "The drivers (of Akita Kent Kotu) were very kind and drove me safely to the hospital. I like driving and talking to people, so I wanted to work here."

       The sudden job request "took me aback, to be honest," Terui admitted. Although Nataliya has no trouble speaking Japanese in everyday life, the president was concerned about how well she would be able to communicate with passengers and whether she would be able to obtain the class 2 license required to drive a cab, but he decided to hire Nataliya because of her cheerful personality and the experience she had gained from working in the nursing care field.

       Later, Nataliya successfully obtained a class 2 driver's license. She will be accompanied by a senior driver to gain experience, and expects to be on her own by the end of October.

       According to the Akita Hire Association, there were 1,413 cab drivers in Akita Prefecture as of the end of August 2021, of which 56 were female. The association said it is "probably the first time" that a foreign driver has been employed.

       Akita Kent Kotu has about 25 drivers, and Nataliya is the company's first female driver. Expectations are high that she will be able to dispel the image of the industry being dominated by men, and that she will improve her English skills to cope with a potential increase in the number of foreign tourists after the coronavirus pandemic is over.

       Terui encouraged her, saying, "I'm sure she will face some obstacles in the future, but I think she will be able to overcome them, even if it takes time."

       Nataliya said enthusiastically, "I would like to make the most of my past work experience as well."

       (Japanese original by Kaho Shimokobe, Akita Bureau)

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