In Japan, the way of thinking about side jobs is changing.

It became a hot topic that Softbank, Japan ‘s major telecom giant, allowed their workers to do side jobs since November 2017.

 

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■ Why did this movement happen?

There are five main reasons.

  • As a Japanese employment system, seniority and lifetime employment are famous, but this system is changing.
  • Anxiety about pension.
  • Pursuit of diverse lifestyle
  • With the spread of nets and tools, it became easier to have side jobs.

・Because it is a shortage of talented people, it also has the aim of recruiting and holding excellent talent by allowing various ways of working.

 

■ Main side jobs being done in Japan

  • Asset management (eg real estate management)
  • Utilization of idle assets (eg Airbnb, Anyca) in the sharing economy * UBER is not operating in Japan.
  • Second-hand goods sale (example: Amazon Marketplace, Ebay, Mercari, Yahoo auction)
  • Internet Talent business, Internet Advertisement business (eg YouTuber, blogger)
  • Utilize skills and qualifications (eg translation, interpreting, weekend soccer referee, rafting guide)

 

■ Side jobs unique to Non-Japanese people

There are an increasing number of Japanese people who start business for overseas / foreigners around me. So, in addition to translation, interpreting, demand for overseas market research etc seems to grow further. Language teachers will be needed more.

 

 

Your knowledge and skills are required more and more, but we strongly recommend that you check your employment rules and laws.

There are still many companies banning side jobs under the employment regulations. Please pay attention to VISA, too. If you earn income for operations other than what is stipulated in VISA, it will be regarded as “unauthorized activity” and become illegal here in Japan.

 

There is no doubt that opportunities are increasing, so follow the rules and get your success.

 

 

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