'An adult with a cut-off phone?' Real Job Hunting Realities of Over 400 People Who Lost Their Smartphones Due to COVID-19 Income Loss

[The Chain of 'Shift Reductions' and Loss of Communication Infrastructure due to Force Majeure]

According to a survey released by Nomura Research Institute in 2021, the number of 'effective unemployed' people whose shifts were reduced by more than 50% during the COVID-19 pandemic and who could not receive leave benefits was estimated at 1.46 million nationwide. Unemployment and shift reductions are often caused not by personal responsibility but by fluctuations in social conditions. This survey also confirmed a negative loop where a single loss of income leads to the loss of communication infrastructure, making re-employment difficult.

[The First Stumble: 'Sudden Shift Reduction/Unemployment']

The most frequent reason for difficulty in paying mobile phone bills was 'Sudden shift reduction/Unemployment (167 people).' This suggests that in many cases, life foundations are shaken by sudden changes in the working environment rather than personal extravagance, resulting in the inability to maintain communication infrastructure. Unexpected income decreases due to factors like the pandemic directly hit households, leading to communication expenses being delayed and resulting in service suspension or contract cancellation.

[The Wall of 'No Contact Info = No Credit': The Reality of Not Even Being Able to Apply]

A total of 408 people responded that they had 'no' jobs that actually hired them during the period they did not have a mobile phone. Free-text responses in the survey highlight the harsh reality of losing social credit simply because they don't have a phone number, losing even the opportunity for an interview.

<Real hardships in job hunting from the survey> - 'If an adult in their 30s or 40s has their phone cut off, they can't even get a job. First, they are suspected of what kind of life they lead, and they are no longer trusted with decent work or errands.' - 'In this world, if you don't have a phone, you can't work. Without communication, you can't even get a job, and even if you search, you can't find one, becoming more impoverished and driving yourself into a corner.' - 'Nowadays, without a smartphone, you lose your home and your job. You can't even prove your identity.'

In modern hiring processes, having no contact info means being 'out of the question.' Even if one tries to rebuild their life, they are completely shut out at the first entrance.

[Industries That Act as a 'Safety Net' and the Path to Stable Income Through Communication Recovery]

While job hunting without communication is extremely difficult, 30% (196 people) answered that there were 'industries that hired them.' Although the types of jobs are limited, there are indeed industries that can be relied upon as a safety net during times of hardship. Responses mentioned opportunities in diverse industries such as 'construction sites,' 'civil engineering,' 'security guards,' as well as 'caregivers,' 'supermarket cashiers,' 'restaurants,' and 'general office work.' While few companies hire those without phones, the existence of such industries provides great hope for those who would otherwise be stuck.

Furthermore, for those once pushed away from the labor market, situations significantly improved after regaining a smartphone. A total of 455 people answered that their current working style or income became 'somewhat stable' or 'very stable' by having a phone. This shows a path where individuals can first find work in the aforementioned industries, and once the infrastructure of communication is restored, they can return as a valuable part of the workforce and stabilize their lives.

[Summary: Overlooked Structural Defects in Society]

This survey revealed that the presence or absence of the 'contact (phone number)' infrastructure determines participation in the labor market, even before a person's will or ability to work. The negative loop—where unexpected income loss due to external changes like COVID-1s leads to loss of communication, which in turn makes re-employment impossible—is one of the challenges in Japan's labor and recruitment structure. How to bring back those who fell through the cracks of communication infrastructure into the labor market is an important issue for future society.

--- Reality today is that without a mobile phone, many contracts, procedures, and job opportunities are restricted. However, we feel great hope in those who keep moving forward and the workplaces that accept and hire them. On the other hand, there remains the issue of options being narrowed simply due to lack of communication tools. To support that first step of employment and connect it to future independence, we will continue our support so everyone can reconnect with society.

- Tsubasa Takahashi, CEO

['Anyone's Smartphone' Saving the Communication-Impoverished and Supporting Social Return]

'Anyone's Smartphone' (Dare-demo Smartphone) provided by Ara Link Co., Ltd. is a service that allows people who have difficulty contracting for mobile phones due to past payment defaults to sign up as long as they have identity documents. By adopting unique screening, we promptly provide communication as a lifeline and prevent social isolation. To date, we have supported a cumulative total of 110,000 people, assisting their first step toward employment and social reintegration.