#Japan #Flexible Work #Beppu #Beppu City #Matchbox Technologies

Beppu City Launches 'Beppu Matchbox'

On August 1, Beppu City, led by Mayor Kyohiro Nagano, officially launched its new spot work platform named 'Beppu Matchbox'. This initiative is part of the city's efforts to promote employment opportunities within the region. The platform allows local businesses in Beppu to post job listings for free, enabling job seekers from across the nation to apply for positions that cater to their flexible schedules, ranging from single days to just a few hours.

The management of 'Beppu Matchbox' is handled by Beppu City itself, with operational support provided by Matchbox Technologies, headquartered in Niigata City. Through this platform, Beppu aims to create an environment that accommodates a diverse workforce, promoting opportunities for various demographics, including those raising children and seniors, thereby combating the trends of youth outmigration and addressing local workforce shortages.

Beppu City is currently facing significant labor shortages in key sectors, including tourism and hospitality, exacerbated by ongoing demographic challenges such as declining population and aging trends. By 2025, Beppu's total population is projected to be around 111,000, with about a third being over 65 years old. The decline in the working-age population has severe implications, especially in the service sectors which have been struggling to rebound fully even as tourism demand returns post-pandemic. Many hotels are forced to limit room availability due to staff shortages, and transportation services like bus and taxi operators are experiencing acute driver shortages.

To mitigate these challenges, Beppu is focusing on creating a supportive environment for flexible work arrangements aimed at people with long family obligations, retirees, students, and newcomers to the city. The city is harnessing digital technologies to connect diverse job seekers with local employers through 'Beppu Matchbox'. This platform is designed to offer various employment options, including temporary jobs and short work hours, catering to job seekers’ individual circumstances, thus opening new avenues for employment in the community.

'Beppu Matchbox' Explained

The platform provides a user-friendly service where job seekers can easily search for jobs on their smartphones and apply effortlessly. The flexibility of working in short time frames makes it ideal for various groups such as working mothers, students, and seniors. It is operated directly by the city, ensuring reliability for users, and includes protections such as automatic payment for non-working days and support during disputes.

For local businesses, the platform allows them to post job listings and trial employment opportunities for free. This is particularly useful for meeting seasonal demands and attracting a reliable workforce that might return for more permanent positions.

By providing flexible job options, Beppu aims to create a positive cycle in which more job seekers are attracted to the area, thus enabling businesses to increase their hiring rates and sustain economic growth in the region.

Self-Sourcing Feature

'Beppu Matchbox' not only caters to short-term job postings but also features a self-sourcing option for long-term employment opportunities. This innovative approach allows companies to create a tailored talent pool by registering previous employees, casual workers, and alumni. Businesses can then post short-term jobs to trusted individuals within their database, fostering both repeat employment and long-term relationships.

With over 150 job listings expected from approximately 15 local businesses, including those in the hospitality and care sectors, 'Beppu Matchbox' has garnered significant interest from various industries since its preliminary outreach event held in June.

Several local companies have already signed up for the platform, expressing their confidence in its potential to alleviate labor shortages. Many participants cited the ease of use and affordability of the service as key advantages that will help them secure reliable employees.

Encouraging Broader Participation

To further boost engagement, 'Beppu Matchbox' is conducting a promotional campaign for employers, offering free access to its platform and services without any initial costs. Employers can manage all aspects of hiring, labor processing, and payroll management through the system, greatly reducing their administrative burdens. The initiative also ensures compliance with regulatory standards through automated processes.

To further enhance reliability, businesses can maintain a dedicated talent database, which enables them to continuously secure trusted workers while reducing hiring costs.

In summary, Beppu City is taking proactive measures to address labor shortages by creating a modern, flexible work environment through the 'Beppu Matchbox' initiative. By empowering diverse demographics to engage in the workforce, the city hopes to revitalize its economy and secure a bright future for its local businesses and community members.