The ranks of ‘spot workers’, who engage in work during their free time, balancing it with their primary jobs and household responsibilities, are increasing rapidly in Japan, reports The Japan Times, citing the Japan Spot Work Association. The work style has gained popularity due to the flexibility it offers: Individuals can choose when and where to work through dedicated apps. There is a growing optimism regarding such gig workers as a new pool of human resources in industry sectors, including accommodation and food services, that have faced labour shortages amid a recovery in demand after the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to the Japan Spot Work Association, an industry group established last year, the number of registered members across four major staffing companies, including Timee, stood at about 10.7 million as of May this year, a remarkable increase of about 3.2 times from about 3.3 million at the end of 2019. While the spot worker industry is still in a developmental phase, it faces many challenges.

The Japan Spot Work Association highlights issues such as confusion among workers due to unclear contracts. In addition, companies' inability to assess workers' personalities and skills in advance can lead to problems, according to the association. The association plans to step up efforts to address these challenges and create better overall work environments. One proposed initiative involves establishing a qualification system for job brokers, aimed at providing both workers and companies with a greater sense of security when engaging with the spot worker system.