In Japan, 30.5% of temporary workers at staffing firms have had a side job at some point, with 13.1% saying they are currently taking part in a side business, according to a survey of 3,502 temporary workers released by Recruit Staffing Co. Ltd.

Temporary workers taking part in the survey were in their 20s through 40s and the survey took place from 7 January to 11 January.

Among other findings in the survey:

• Nearly half, 47.0%, started their side job after the pandemic broke out in 2020.
• About 80% of respondents said their side business and temporary work are completely unrelated.
• 72.7% answered that they are only doing one side job.
• 38.6% are working less than five hours per week at the side job, overall about 79% are working less than 10 hours per week on their side jobs.
• The two top reasons for now doing a side job were “I’m busy with my main job and I don’t have time to do a side job” and “I don’t know what to do to do a side job.”