Companies are increasingly eager to hire Osaka Kansai Expo workers who have sharpened their foreign language and hospitality skills after the event ends in October.
Amid continuing labor shortages and rising inbound tourism, expo workers are in high demand, particularly among hotel and food service companies.
The operating company of Universal Studios Japan (USJ) held a recruitment information session on Aug. 4 at Hello Work Umeda, a public employment security office located near JR Osaka Station.
The session targeted workers from the Osaka Expo, although it was open to others as well. About 290 people applied to attend.
Of USJ’s roughly 12,000 part-time staff, about 40 percent are college students and their turnover rate is high.
“Work at the expo and USJ is highly compatible, so we expect that expo workers may choose us,” said Takanobu Okawara, a manager of human resources at USJ.
About 20,000 staff members work at the expo venue every day guiding visitors, doing security, serving food, cleaning and other tasks similar to those performed at USJ.
Next year, USJ will celebrate its 25th anniversary. The theme park is expecting an increase in visitors and intends to hire 100 additional staff members.
USJ’s operating company is scheduled to hold similar recruitment information sessions in September and October at other Hello Work locations in Osaka.
EXPO TALENT
Major recruitment agency Pasona Inc. will hold a career fair for expo workers on Sept. 14 and 15 at the ATC hall in the Suminoe Ward of Osaka. The hall is near the expo venue to make it easier for expo staff to attend before or after work.
About 100 companies will participate in the event.
One is Science Co., headquartered in Osaka. The company produces shower heads and bathtubs, and showcased its invention “the human washing machine” at the expo’s Osaka Healthcare Pavilion.
“We aim to hire individuals with strong foreign language skills to expand our businesses overseas,” said a company recruitment official.
According to Shintaro Nakao, president of Pasona, more than 90 percent of the expo venue’s 20,000 staff members are temporary hires, employed only during the expo.
“The expo is a once-in-a-lifetime event, much like the Olympics and Paralympics when they are held in one’s home country,” Nakao said.
Many people quit their previous jobs to work at the expo. Nakao added that these workers possess valuable skills in areas such as customer service, hospitality and project management.
“Many companies want to recruit expo workers. We don’t want to miss out on these talented people,” he said, hoping to connect expo staff to their next jobs after the world’s fair is over.
AloJapan.com