#Japan #Tokyo #Chinese Import Reselling #Mercari Policy Change #T.B.H

Exploring New Side Job Opportunities for Housewives and Seniors

With the rise of flexible side job applications like Taimi, there is a noticeable shift in career opportunities for housewives and seniors. One of the most promising options emerging is home-based product flipping, particularly through Chinese imports. Recent research by T.B.H, conducted from September 28 to October 18, 2025, highlights this trend, reflecting the desires and conditions of 122 respondents primarily made up of housewives and seniors.

Survey Insights

The survey, titled "Chinese Import Reselling Awareness Survey," aimed to assess interest in this form of entrepreneurship within a demographic known for its challenges in balancing work with home responsibilities. The results were striking: a remarkable 88.5% of participants expressed a strong desire to learn about Chinese import reselling, yet only 45.1% had put intentions into practice. This discrepancy reveals a significant gap between interest and actual engagement, a point that T.B.H aims to address through tailored educational offerings.

From Side Jobs to Home-Based Reselling: A New Choice

The popularity of short-term side jobs has expanded in recent years, particularly through apps like Taimi. However, the allure of home-based activities, such as reselling, is increasingly capturing attention. Many individuals, especially women managing child care or elder care, are finding that reselling products gives them an opportunity to create income without sacrificing their family responsibilities.

One notable finding in the survey indicated that 21.3% of participants reported earning a single profit of over 30,000 yen from these ventures, demonstrating the financial viability of such options.

Mercari Dominates Sales Channels

Despite a variety of apps available, the survey indicated that 71.3% of respondents currently use Mercari as their primary sales channel. Competitors like Yahoo! Auctions, Rakuma, and Amazon follow behind, yet Mercari remains a dominant force in the home-based work arena.

Shift from Mercari Dependency

Recently, Mercari announced significant changes to its user policies on September 22, 2025, prohibiting individual accounts from being used for business purposes starting October 22. This new rule has initiated discussions throughout the community, as many sellers may need to explore alternative sales platforms. Questions have arisen from users about coping with these changes, demonstrating the concern felt by those who have relied heavily on Mercari for their sales.

For instance, one participant asked, "I specialize in vintage ladies' apparel. The changes in Mercari's regulations may hit me the hardest; how should I transition to shops?" This sentiment has resonated with many who are now questioning their business strategies.

In response to these concerns, T.B.H has advocated for a diversified sales strategy over the past five years, encouraging users to venture beyond Mercari. Its data indicates that students of T.B.H successfully utilize platforms beyond Mercari, including Yahoo! Flea Market, Rakuma, Yahoo! Auctions, and Amazon to build resilient sales channels.

Accelerating Diversification of Strategies

The survey results underscore a growing momentum toward diversifying sourcing and sales avenues. Clearly, the home-based reselling sector is shifting, reflected in a broader trend towards 'platform diversification'. T.B.H aims to educate users on how to navigate these changes effectively. By leveraging learnings from the survey, T.B.H, led by its founder Chiharu Yokota, shares insights through the YouTube channel "Chii Mama: Mercari Home Work Teacher," which has garnered 45,800 subscribers.

Through this platform, viewers can access essential content, particularly related to navigating changes to Mercari's policies, strategies for turning challenges into opportunities, and more. The channel aims to equip participants with the necessary knowledge and support to venture into this lucrative field.

Conclusion

This survey illuminates pivotal aspects of the evolving landscape of home-based work, particularly for housewives and seniors. As interests in alternative sources of income rise, engaging educational resources and diversified strategies will be vital in helping this community thrive in the face of changes within key platforms like Mercari. T.B.H stands at the forefront, assisting individuals in exploring and successfully navigating these new avenues for empowerment and income generation.