Coconala Accelerates Implementation of External Talent Utilization Amid Record Number of Corporate Bankruptcies

Coconala's Response to Labor Shortages

In light of the unprecedented increase in corporate bankruptcies due to labor shortages, Coconala, led by CEO Ayumu Suzuki, has embarked on a new initiative called the Sales Partner System. This program aims to provide a pathway for businesses facing human resource challenges by linking them with skilled external talent through a more structured partnership model.

Background: Record Number of Bankruptcies Due to Labor Shortages

According to data from Tokyo Shoko Research, the fiscal year 2025 saw a staggering 442 companies go bankrupt as a direct result of labor shortages, reflecting a 43.0% increase compared to the previous year. As organizations struggle to recruit and retain talent, many are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain their operations. This scenario has made the utilization of freelance and side-job workers a practical and effective human resource strategy. Coconala’s skill marketplace boasts over 1.4 million skill registrants and more than 620,000 corporate members, establishing it as a key infrastructure for employing external talent.

Despite this growth, many companies are still grappling with how to connect with the right external talent that fits their unique needs. Coconala aims to address this concern as partners from our client base express their frustrations with being unable to support customers facing labor shortages. By initiating the Sales Partner System, we create a framework that allows these partners to confidently introduce clients to our solutions, enabling them to effectively tackle labor challenges.

Overview of the Sales Partner System

The Sales Partner System is designed to connect companies interested in leveraging Coconala's range of agent services—such as Coconala Assist, Coconala Pro, Coconala Consulting, and Coconala BPO—with partner corporations who can refer these businesses. This collaborative approach maximizes reach to clients that Coconala alone might not connect with and allows partners to offer new solutions for workforce issues seamlessly alongside their core operations.

1. Visual Confirmation of Partnerships

To ensure reliability among partners, a Coconala Certified Partner Badge will be issued to corporations that have passed a stringent evaluation, which includes verifying the absence of relationships with anti-social entities. This badge serves as a visible symbol of our partnership and can be displayed on partner websites and sales materials, demonstrating our shared commitment to creating value through collaboration.

2. Simplified Operation with a Toss-Up Approach

Partners are primarily tasked with connecting businesses that have talent challenges to Coconala. All other operational aspects—including requirements definition, talent selection, negotiations, contracts, and post-engagement support—are managed by Coconala's dedicated team. This design eliminates the need for specialized knowledge on the partner’s side, allowing them to integrate this into their existing business activities easily.

3. Ongoing Rewards for Active Partnerships

Corporate partners benefit from a streamlined compensation model that includes an annual fee of ¥30,000 for the use of badges and various sales support materials. In contrast, individual partners can join without any cost. After a contract is established with a referred business, partners receive 10% of the monthly revenue generated from that client for as long as the partnership remains active, providing financial stability and incentive.

For more information or to apply, visit: Coconala Agency or contact our agency division sales team at [email protected].

Future Plans

As a platform with over 1.4 million skilled professionals, Coconala is strategically expanding partnerships rooted in local industries to build an economic sphere wherein external skills can effectively connect with companies in need. We aim to evolve our role as a social infrastructure that links individual skills with enterprises, ultimately enhancing workforce mobility and productivity in Japanese society.

About Coconala

Coconala is the largest skill marketplace in Japan, allowing users to buy and sell knowledge, skills, and experiences. Our services include:

- Coconala Skill Market: Connects freelancers with businesses in need of skills.
- Coconala Content Market: A marketplace for original digital content.
- Coconala Recruitment: A platform that facilitates job postings and applications.
- Coconala Scout: Direct access to suitable professionals.
- Coconala Legal Consultation: Find personalized legal assistance.
- Coconala Tech: Fast recommendations of IT freelancers.
- Coconala Assist: Remote assistant services for businesses.
- Coconala Consulting: Top professionals driving projects.
- Coconala Pro: Introduces leading creators for specific tasks.
- Coconala BPO: Team-based business support for project challenges.