Japan’s Growing Interest in Gig Work Pushes Potential Workforce to 14 Million

As prices continue to rise and minimum wages increase across Japan, more people are showing interest in taking on gig and short-term jobs to supplement their income.

TOKYO, JAPAN (MERXWIRE) – Rising living costs and higher minimum wages are driving a rapid increase in interest in gig work across Japan. According to a recent survey, 4.52 million people have worked gig jobs within the past three years, while more than 20% of respondents without prior experience said they are interested in taking on gig work in the future. The potential nationwide gig workforce is estimated to reach 14.31 million people.

As the cost of living continues to rise, minimum wages across Japan have also increased steadily. Since October 2025, every prefecture in Japan has raised its minimum hourly wage above 1,000 yen, with the national weighted average reaching 1,121 yen. Tokyo recorded the highest minimum wage at 1,226 yen per hour, followed by Kanagawa Prefecture at 1,225 yen and Osaka Prefecture at 1,177 yen.

Against this backdrop of wage increases and growing demand for flexible work arrangements, “sukima baito” — short-term gig jobs — are becoming a popular way for people to make extra income during their spare time. These jobs are typically short-term positions lasting several hours or one day and involve direct employment.

According to a nationwide “Gig Work and Side Job Quantitative Survey” conducted by Persol Research Institute, 6.5% of people aged 15 to 69 in Japan have engaged in gig work within the past three years. Among them, 82% said they had worked such jobs within the past year.

The survey also highlighted strong future demand for gig work. Among respondents who had not taken gig jobs within the past year, 21.8% said they would consider doing so in the future. Younger generations, regardless of gender, showed a particularly strong willingness to participate in gig work compared to older age groups.

Mika Sato, a 38-year-old homemaker living in Tokyo, said rising food and household expenses pushed her to start taking short-term jobs while her children are at school.

“I used to think gig work would be troublesome, but many jobs now only require a few hours and offer flexible schedules,” she said. “It helps supplement our household income.”

Meanwhile, 22-year-old university student Takumi Yamaguchi sees gig work as both a source of income and a way to gain experience.

“Tuition and transportation costs are getting more expensive, so relying only on family support feels difficult,” he said. “I use my free time between classes to work different jobs, and it also gives me experience in various industries.”

Kanto Smart Living Cooperative noted that the rise in gig workers reflects a broader shift in how people balance work and daily life in Japan. The organization said that as inflation continues and wage growth remains limited, more people are seeking flexible work options that allow them to earn extra income while maintaining personal time.

The organization also advised workers to consider not only pay, but also factors such as training systems and reasonable working hours when choosing gig jobs, in order to avoid excessive stress and overwork.

Google Trends data also reflects the growing popularity of gig work. Searches for the keyword “sukima baito” surged during the COVID-19 pandemic and have continued to remain high even after pandemic restrictions ended, suggesting that demand for gig work has become a long-term trend rather than a temporary phenomenon.

The survey found that motivations for gig work extend beyond financial necessity. The most common reason cited by respondents was “making use of spare time” (42.5%), followed by “earning money for hobbies and entertainment” (39.0%), “the work seems easy” (38.2%), and “wanting to do something productive during free time” (36.4%).

Researchers further categorized gig workers into several groups, including “time efficiency type,” “allowance type,” “livelihood maintenance type,” and “experience investment type.” Those in the “experience investment” category tended to show higher work engagement and stronger willingness to return to the same workplace, while those working primarily to cover living expenses reported lower levels of job engagement.

From the employer perspective, gig workers are also becoming an increasingly important labor source. The survey found that 63% of store managers and supervisors who currently manage gig workers are willing to continue hiring them, while nearly 70% have converted gig workers into long-term employees.

However, gig work still faces several challenges. One of the most common complaints was the “cold attitude of workplace staff,” with dissatisfaction rates about 80% higher compared to regular part-time workers. Other issues included difficulty learning job skills from coworkers and the lack of clear operation manuals.

Media Contacts:
Kanto Smart Living Cooperative

PR Agency:
MERXWIRE INC.
Ada Huang
pr@merxwire.com

SOURCE: Kanto Smart Living Cooperative