My History
Our service, Timee, is a platform that connects workers with businesses. For workers, it offers the flexibility to choose jobs during their free time without the hassle of interviews. They can also enjoy the benefit of receiving payment right after their shifts. For businesses, Timee allows them to specify the skills and hours they need, and the platform matches them with suitable candidates.
Japan is currently facing a variety of labor issues, with labor shortages being particularly severe. While it was predicted as early as 2002 that the workforce would decline, the approach has remained largely the same, relying on traditional job listing platforms. These platforms were designed during times of labor surplus, where businesses had the upper hand in selecting candidates. However, in today’s labor-short market, there’s a growing need for services that prioritize the workers. This is where we saw the need for flexible, part-time jobs, leading to the creation of Timee.
While Timee serves as a matching platform, we also act as consultants for businesses. We help companies identify tasks that can be managed through Timee and collaborate with them to create training manuals, discussing what workers need to learn and what responsibilities they should handle. We also consider the workers' perspective, creating easy-to-follow guides for those unfamiliar with the job. By fully understanding each business’s operational challenges, we work as their partner to implement Timee in the most effective way.
The Present
Ninety percent of the businesses using our service are in the logistics, retail, and food service sectors. In logistics, for instance, there’s the concept of "task separation." This means separating the roles of loading cargo onto trucks and driving them for delivery. With Timee, workers can sign up for short-term jobs like cargo loading for just a few hours. Timee is also expanding into the caregiving industry, where we help address labor shortages by separating tasks. Specifically, we propose creating environments where licensed and unlicensed workers are assigned clear tasks so they can focus on their specific responsibilities. We’re already seeing positive impacts from Timee, and we believe it can be a viable solution to both the caregiver shortage and the rising elderly population.
As Japan’s labor force shrinks, it's becoming increasingly important to not only utilize the active workforce but also unlock the potential of untapped labor resources. This is where Timee stands out—by converting previously unused free time into productive working hours. Jobs are often located near workers and allow them to make use of their spare time, which lowers the barriers to entry and gives more people the opportunity to step into the workforce. Tapping into this hidden labor pool is a key aspect of Timee’s value, and it’s a reflection of our social contribution in addressing today’s labor shortages.
Our rapid growth and scale expansion have been driven by our ability to meet these societal demands. Businesses want services that reliably deliver workers, while workers seek greater flexibility in how they work. By shaping these needs into a practical service and effectively promoting it, we’ve raised awareness and built Timee into what it is today.
For the Future
With the working population unlikely to grow, the only way forward is to increase labor productivity. We believe the key to boosting productivity lies in people approaching their jobs with energy and passion. Without that energy, work becomes just a routine task, and productivity stalls. Our vision is for everyone to be in a role that lets them tap into their full potential, which will lead to greater productivity. Additionally, to ensure people are in the right roles, it's crucial to build infrastructure that helps them expand their possibilities. Our company's mission is to establish this infrastructure across Japan, and that's how we contribute to the country's future.
When we shift our perspective globally, we see that Japan isn't alone—other Asian countries, like South Korea and Taiwan, face similar challenges. While Timee is currently focused on Japan, I believe the knowledge we've gained here can be leveraged across Asia and beyond. Japan faces significant social issues, including labor shortages due to an aging population and declining birth rates. However, by sharing the knowledge and solutions we've developed, I believe Japan can reassert its place on the global stage. It's projected that by 2100, Japan's population will drop below 50 million. With a sense of personal responsibility, I remain committed to contributing to Japan's long-term future and continuing to make a meaningful impact.