日本驾校新招 宝马练车加按摩

由于人口持续下降，日本驾校之间的竞争也日益激烈。为了争夺生源，日本驾校相继推出宝马练车、美甲，以及代看小孩等额外服务。据一家驾校的校长表示，过去二十年间，学车人数减少了一半多，但驾校数量大体没变。她认为价格竞争的空间很小，所以要通过更优质的服务来吸引学员。有的驾校把女性作为重点服务对象，推出美甲、配以香氛疗法的夏威夷式按摩以及其他种类按摩，力求帮助学员消除驾驶疲劳。另外，驾校还提供免费代看小孩服务，以便家长安心学车。有的驾校则为学员提供宝马车练习车技，摩托车学员可以用哈雷摩托练习。

Japanese driving schools are offering more than instruction behind the wheel, with Hawaiian massage and lessons in BMWs among the services available to compete for a dwindling number of potential students.

Like a broad spectrum of Japanese companies, driving schools are grappling with the country's shrinking population and a tightfisted economic climate that have triggered fierce price competition.

"It's harder to get new customers compared with before," said Aki Takahashi, head of Tokyo's Musashi Sakai Driving School, noting that the number of people getting driver's licenses in the metropolis has plunged by more than half in the past two decades while the number of schools hasn't changed much.

"We think price competition can't go any further so we're enhancing our service line-up," she told Reuters.

Students at Musashi Sakai, where over 5,000 graduate yearly, can choose from extra services includingmanicures, Hawaiian "lomilomi" with aromatherapy as well as other types of massage to relieve driving fatigue - a female-friendly menu that's in line with the school's business strategy.

"An environment that women feel comfortable entering is one where anyone can feel comfortable," Takahashi said. "Women are our main target."

Most customers are high school and university students looking to get their license near the minimum driving age of 18, but in a bid to target homemakers, Musashi Sakai also offers free child care while parents are taking lessons.

Not to be outdone, rival Koyama Driving School's service range includes the use of BMWs for highway-driving lessons and Harley-Davidson motorcycles for bike classes.

Japan's population declined last year for the second straight year and is set to shrink by a third in 50 years if current trends continue.

Vocabulary:

manicure: 美甲

lomilomi: 夏威夷式按摩，一个SPA菜单上最常见的按摩手法，源自夏威夷的传统按摩方式。开始前，先给顾客涂上一层精油，接着躺下，让护理师在按摩床前为客人祈福，再用拇指、手掌和手肘，施行轻重交替的按摩手法。