Japan: 85% of c-store owners get 1 day off per week at most
This study would highlight the severe working conditions in this Japanese industry, which suffers an acute labor shortage.
The Goverment of Japan carried out a survey that found that 85% of convenience store owners across the country would only one day or less off per week, reports The Japan Times. This study would highlight the severe working conditions in this Japanese industry, which suffers from an acute labor shortage.
The survey results were presented during a meeting at an expert panel under the industry ministry. It was conducted in August, with about 3,600 owners providing valid answers.
Data showed that 60% of owners take “less than one day” off a week and 19% “one day,” while “two days or more” was reported by only 7%. Fifty percent said they work at their stores for “six or more hours but less than 12 hours” a day, 29% would work “12 hours or more” and 14% “less than six hours.”
In a survey carried out in July this year among 10,000 convenience store users, a majority were in favor of shops reducing operating hours. 41% said that late-night services are necessary at some stores depending on circumstances in their neighborhood and other factors, while 35% said each store should be allowed to make a decision. Nine percent said late-night services are necessary.
“While convenience stores’ functions as social infrastructure are becoming more important, burdens on [store owners] are growing significantly as increasingly complex store operations make it difficult to secure workers,” said Musashi University Prof. Naoki Tsuchiya, a member of the panel.
Based on the results of the surveys and opinions to be collected from major convenience store operators, the panel announced its intention to compile early next year a report for improving operations of the convenience store industry in Japan.
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