Today's Close-Up S2025E10 - Cashing in on Spare Time: How "Spot Work" is Changing Japan

Millions of Japanese people are using dedicated apps to find so-called spot work – short-term, one-off jobs that allow them to make extra income in their spare time. For some, it's a way to supplement earnings from their main employment. For others, such as homemakers and the elderly, it's a chance to earn some cash between other commitments. The growing market for spot work also benefits businesses that are finding themselves increasingly short-handed due to Japan's worsening labor crunch. But with benefits come risks. Workers complain the system is open to abuse and fails to offer sufficient protections. We spoke with a labor expert about the pitfalls in the spot work economy, and the ways people can use it to their advantage. 

Guest: 
Kawakami Keitaro (Research advisor, Shufu Job Soken)