A Japanese woman who became a rickshaw driver in Tokyo to improve her speaking skills has ended up falling in love with the job while realising her dream of becoming a radio DJ.
Arisa Sekimori, 29, has been a rickshaw driver in the city’s Asakusa old town for eight years.
She is a pioneer among the growing number of women rickshaw drivers in the area and recently became her company’s first female manager.
Sekimori also has another job. She drives a rickshaw four days a week and works the rest as a radio DJ, with no days off.
She said she has a passion for both jobs, even though initially she became a rickshaw driver only to chase her dream of becoming a news announcer.
Sekimori said she took part in interviews with over 100 television stations but all rejected her.
Her job-hunting instructor then advised her to work as a rickshaw driver to “improve her speaking skills”.
At first, she could not solicit customers, then her company, Tengasyaya’s president, made her realise the importance of entertaining her clients by talking to them.
“I still had a lot to learn as a rickshaw driver,” she recalled.
Sekimori said the rickshaw job she once underestimated ended up capturing her heart.
She also chose the radio station where she now works because it allowed her to do the other job, which was rare at the time.
The Asakusa area of Tokyo is famous for its traditional atmosphere, with rickshaw tours a speciality.
In recent years, more women have joined the traditionally male-dominated rickshaw driving community.
One company, Tokyo Rickshaw, hired 30 female drivers, trainees included, out of its total of 130 drivers in 2024. The number was just four in 2020.
The strong presence of women rickshaw drivers on social media helped spread the message.
Sekimori, who is only 155cm tall, said she had even carried a man weighing 150kg in the rickshaw.
“There is a point where the rickshaw becomes lighter when you pull up on the handle while maintaining the balance. Women have no problem pulling a rickshaw once they get the hang of it,” said Sekimori, adding that the vehicle feels heavier when it is empty.
She said her family initially opposed her decision to become a rickshaw driver but changed their attitude when they saw how much she enjoyed the job. -- SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
