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Japan's Child Care Crisis: Gig Workers Fill Gaps
24 Feb
Summary
- Gig work is increasing in Japan's child care sector due to labor shortages.
- The government has not set official rules for gig workers in child care.
- Some facilities use gig workers as a recruitment tool for permanent staff.
Gig work is rapidly expanding within Japan's child care sector, driven by persistent labor shortages. This trend offers convenience but lacks official governmental oversight, prompting concerns about entrusting children to temporary staff. A notice issued in February 2025 by the Children and Families Agency stated that using gig workers to meet minimum staffing levels is not desirable.
Recent surveys indicate that approximately 12.4% of day care centers nationwide have utilized child care gig workers, primarily to secure staff for daily operations and fill sudden vacancies. However, parents question the maintenance of care quality with one-off hires. The legal staffing criteria are defined, but the agency's notice discourages using temporary staff to meet these requirements.
Currently, no official standards govern the employment or duties of gig workers in child care. The Children and Families Agency is investigating gig work usage through a nationwide survey to determine if facilities are including these workers in staffing ratios. The agency plans to take appropriate action based on the survey's findings if necessary.
One facility, Kiddie Shonan C-X in Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture, has established its own stringent rules since starting gig worker use in October 2024. They ensure gig workers are never left alone with children and conduct independent resume screenings beyond the matching service requirements. Prohibited duties for gig staff include handling personal information and assisting children with special needs.
The use of gig workers has also revealed a potential recruitment avenue. With approximately 1.16 million qualified but non-working "latent child care workers," gig roles offer a way for facilities to discover and potentially hire permanent staff. This allows both employers and potential employees to assess suitability before commitment.
Despite these efforts, parental and worker concerns persist. A gig worker in Kochi expressed apprehension about taking sole charge of a class due to the presence of children with developmental disorders and allergies, emphasizing the need for clear operational rules. A representative from a parents' association urged the national government to establish standards for gig worker utilization, warning against potential declines in care quality if operators lack responsibility.
