{
  "id": 8011240,
  "title": "Side Jobs Spread among National Public Employees in Japan, Personnel Authority Aims to Increase Job Retention",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/side-jobs-spread-among-national-public-employees-in-japan-personnel",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-17T11:00:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun",
    "slug": "the-japan-news-by-the-yomiuri-shimbun",
    "url": "https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/society/general-news/20260917-349132/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "More and more national public employees in Japan are venturing into side jobs, capitalizing on their hobbies and unique abilities. The National Personnel Authority (NPA) recently relaxed rules allowing bureaucrats and public servants to hold side jobs starting this fiscal year. This development could potentially increase job satisfaction, retain young talent, and prevent public servants from leaving their positions.\n\nThe NPA announced in April that national public employees could engage in side jobs that either utilize their knowledge and skills, such as selling handmade crafts, or serve societal purposes, like shopping for the elderly. Prior to this change, public servants had limited options for side jobs, restricted to three types related to family businesses.\n\nA survey conducted by the NPA in February revealed that over 30% of public servants expressed interest in pursuing a side job. The percentage was notably higher among younger employees in their 30s and career-track bureaucrats at ministries, with more than 40% interested. To address this trend, the NPA decided to broaden the range of permissible side jobs after consulting private-sector companies and evaluating their potential impact on retaining public servants.\n\nAs of August, approximately 40 national public employees had been approved to take on side jobs, representing a diverse array of professions. These professionals work for various ministries, agencies, and organizations, including the Cabinet Office, Finance Ministry, Foreign Ministry, Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry, National Police Agency, and Japan Coast Guard. Their side jobs span a wide range of activities, from teaching languages and nail artistry to managing art collections and selling games.\n\nMegumi Okuda, a personnel authority official working in the Chubu Bureau, is one such side-hustler. She holds a career coaching certification, which enables her to provide guidance to individuals seeking career advice. \"The appeal of a side job is the opportunity to apply my experiences and expertise,\" Okuda stated. She previously provided career advice for free during her free time, but expressed a desire to offer her knowledge and insights to her primary role as a public servant in exchange.\n\nThe NPA aims to compile examples of side jobs undertaken by public servants by the end of the year, aiming to demonstrate how these positions do not interfere with their primary duties. An official responsible for the plan emphasized the importance of showcasing positive examples that illustrate the feasibility of side jobs without compromising the trust and effectiveness of national public employees.",
  "summary": "More and more national public employees are starting side jobs, making the most of their hobbies and special skills.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}