"Monozukuri no Shigoto Zukan" Launched to Introduce Manufacturing Jobs in Local Areas to Young People Through Articles and Videos

kanaL Inc. (Headquarters: Hirakata City, Osaka Prefecture, CEO: Yuya Tamaki) has officially launched "Monozukuri no Shigoto Zukan" (Manufacturing Jobs Encyclopedia), a web media platform that introduces jobs related to local manufacturing through articles and videos.

As the first installment, they featured DL World Inc., a comprehensive dental laboratory operating mainly in Osaka and Kyoto, and have published the content on their website, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, and X.

The dental technicians featured in the first installment are professionals who create items such as dentures and orthodontic appliances, supporting patients' ability to "bite," "speak," and "eat."

According to a survey by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the number of employed dental technicians at the end of 2024 was 31,733, a decrease of 1,209 people, or 3.7%, from the previous survey at the end of 2022. In terms of age composition, those aged 65 and over accounted for the largest group at 19.3%, while those under 25 remained at only 4.7%.

"Monozukuri no Shigoto Zukan" aims to reach young people with information about these essential jobs, which are often difficult to see from their perspective, through articles, videos, and social media.

Background: "Hard-to-See Jobs" in Local Areas That Struggle to Reach Young People

Many important jobs that support local life and industries are not sufficiently known to younger generations.

Jobs involving specialized skills and craftsmanship, such as metal processing, machine processing, food manufacturing, maintenance, equipment installation, factory work, and dental technology, are difficult to convey through job postings that only list conditions like salary, holidays, and work location. The actual job content, the appearance of the workers, and the workplace atmosphere are hard to grasp.

As a result, even jobs that support society can become less likely to be considered by younger generations, leading to issues such as labor shortages and challenges in skill succession.

The dental technician profession, featured in the first installment, is one such "hard-to-see job." According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's "Report on卫生 Administration 2024," the number of employed dental technicians at the end of 2024 was 31,733, a decrease of 1,209 people, or 3.7%, from the previous survey at the end of 2022.

The number of dental laboratories also decreased to 20,278, down 563 establishments, or 2.7%, from the previous survey. Furthermore, in terms of age composition, those aged 65 and over constituted the largest group at 19.3%, while those under 25 remained at 4.7%. The number of successful candidates for the 11th National Dental Technician Examination was 722, compared to 684 for the 10th examination the previous year.

"Monozukuri no Shigoto Zukan" aims to disseminate information about the workplaces of jobs that support local life and industries, not limited to dental technicians, through both videos and social media, which young people encounter daily, and articles that remain accessible through search.

What is "Monozukuri no Shigoto Zukan"?

Image of "Monozukuri no Shigoto Zukan"

"Monozukuri no Shigoto Zukan" is a web media platform that introduces the workplaces of technical, professional, and craft jobs related to manufacturing. Based on a single interview and filming session, content is published as web articles, long-form YouTube videos, short-form videos for Instagram and TikTok, and on Threads and X.

Long-form videos convey the representative's philosophy and approach to work, while short-form videos briefly introduce the job content and workplace atmosphere. Articles organize and present job details, work environment, and information that applicants should know before applying. Monozukuri no Shigoto Zukan: https://monozukuri-zukan.jp/ First Installment Article: https://monozukuri-zukan.jp/dlworld/

First Installment: A Comprehensive Dental Laboratory Supporting Dental Treatment from Behind the Scenes

Scene from representative interview

The first installment features DL World Inc., a comprehensive dental laboratory operating mainly in Osaka and Kyoto. The company receives requests from dental clinics and produces custom dental prosthetics for each patient. Main products include dentures, crowns, orthodontic appliances, mouthguards/mouthpieces, and prosthetics made using CAD/CAM systems. While dentures, false teeth, and orthodontic appliances are provided to patients at dental clinics, there are few opportunities to learn about who makes them and how. This interview introduces the job content of dental technicians, their passion for their work, the workplace atmosphere, and an interview with the representative. The aim is to help not only those considering a career change or employment as a dental technician but also young people interested in local specialized professions and craftsmanship to learn about the work on the ground.

Future Developments

In the future, they plan to expand their coverage to include local manufacturing companies and businesses facing challenges in recruiting young talent and skill succession, not limited to dental technology. There are many undiscovered attractions in jobs that support local industries and lifestyles, such as metal processing, machine processing, food manufacturing, maintenance, equipment installation, and factory work. "Monozukuri no Shigoto Zukan" will communicate these on-site jobs in an easy-to-understand manner, creating opportunities for young people to become interested in local companies and specialized professions.

Representative's Comment

Yuya Tamaki, Representative Director of kanaL Inc. "When I actually visit and cover workplaces, I see value that cannot be conveyed through the text of job postings alone, such as the dedication to work, the personalities of the employees, the workplace atmosphere, and the sense of contributing to society. On the other hand, there are many companies and businesses in local areas struggling with recruitment because this appeal does not reach younger generations. Through "Monozukuri no Shigoto Zukan," we want to create opportunities for young people to encounter jobs and companies they never knew existed."

"Towards a world where truly good companies are chosen," we will continue to work on creating a state where the appeal of local jobs and companies reaches the young people who need it.

Media Inquiries

Regarding this matter, the following media responses are available: - Background of the launch of "Monozukuri no Shigoto Zukan" - Current situation of labor shortages in hard-to-see specialized professions such as dental technicians - Utilization of articles, videos, and social media for information dissemination to younger generations - Interview content with DL World Inc., the company featured in the first installment

Reference Materials/Sources

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, "Outline of the 2024 Report on卫生 Administration (Employed Medical Professionals)" https://www.mhlw.go.jp/toukei/saikin/hw/eisei/24/index.html

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, "Announcement of Successful Candidates for the 11th National Dental Technician Examination" https://www.mhlw.go.jp/general/sikaku/successlist/2026/siken22/about.html

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, "Announcement of Successful Candidates for the 10th National Dental Technician Examination (2024 Fiscal Year)" https://www.mhlw.go.jp/general/sikaku/successlist/2025/siken22/about.html

e-Stat, Japan Standard Industrial Classification "8361 Dental Laboratories" https://www.e-stat.go.jp/classifications/terms/10/03/8361

About kanaL Inc.

kanaL Inc. is a company that provides recruitment support specializing in social media. Focusing on SNS utilization for young recruitment, they support creating a state where a company's appeal is conveyed to job seekers. Currently, they operate a recruitment agency business specializing in social media and a recruitment media business related to manufacturing.

Company Name: kanaL Inc. Location: 1-1-1 Kuratsuka, Hirakata City, Osaka Prefecture Representative: Yuya Tamaki, Representative Director Established: August 8, 2024 Capital: 3 million yen Business Activities: Recruitment agency specializing in social media, operation of recruitment media related to manufacturing

Monozukuri no Shigoto Zukan: https://monozukuri-zukan.jp/

kanaL Inc.: https://web-kanal.co.jp