Job Application Index for Japanese Homemakers Rises to 104 in April 2026, Up 2 Points
b-style media, Inc., operator of the job site 'Shufu JOB,' announced that its Job Application Index for homemakers reached 104 in April 2026, an increase of 2 points from the previous month and the same month last year. Following the end of spring break, job-seeking activity among caregivers intensified, pushing the number of applications to a record high since July 2016. The company anticipates that hiring opportunities for this demographic will continue until the summer vacation period.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 19, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 19, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 20, 2026 at 00:58 (14h 26m after Collected)
b-style media, Inc. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President: Masafumi Ishibashi), which operates the job site 'Shufu JOB' under the b-style group, has compiled and released its 'Job Application Index for Homemakers' for April 2026, calculated from the number of job listings and applicants on its platform.
## Trends
The application index for April 2026 stood at 104, marking a 2-point increase from the previous month and also a 2-point increase from the same month last year.
Compared to the previous month, the number of job listings saw a slight decrease, while the number of applications increased. April, when schools resume after spring break, is a period when caregivers find it easier to engage in job hunting, and 2026 followed this annual trend with a rise in applications.
The number of applications reached a record high for any period since July 2016, for which comparable data is available. Meanwhile, the number of job listings remained at a high level, resulting in the application index exceeding the baseline of 100 for the second consecutive month.
Based on annual trends, job-seeking activity among homemakers is expected to remain high until the summer vacation period, suggesting the application index will likely continue to rise. This indicates that opportunities for companies considering hiring from this demographic will continue to expand.
## Survey Overview
- Source Data: Number of job listings and applicants on 'Shufu JOB'.
- Calculation Method: The annual application rate for 2017 (weighted average of monthly data) is set as the baseline value of 100. The index for a given month is calculated based on the difference from this 2017 average. (Formula: 100 - ((Monthly Application Rate - 2017 Average Rate) * 100)).
- Notes: The actual numbers for job listings, applicants, and application rates are not disclosed. When citing this release, please credit 'Source: Shufu JOB'. If linking from a website, please use the URL: `https://part.shufu-job.jp`.
## About Shufu JOB
'Shufu JOB' is a job site for homemakers (shufu). It features a wide range of job listings that welcome this demographic, including part-time, full-time, freelance, and dispatch positions. In a survey of 1,323 members conducted in February 2024, 91% responded that they would want to use the site again.
## About b-style group
With the purpose of 'Creating value for the times,' the group aims to solve social issues and inconveniences through its innovative businesses. Since its inception, its core human resources services, including 'Shufu JOB' which has created over 200,000 jobs for homemakers, and 'Smart Career' which facilitates diverse work styles for high-level professionals, have been central to its mission. The group is also involved in supporting business process automation.
## Trends
The application index for April 2026 stood at 104, marking a 2-point increase from the previous month and also a 2-point increase from the same month last year.
Compared to the previous month, the number of job listings saw a slight decrease, while the number of applications increased. April, when schools resume after spring break, is a period when caregivers find it easier to engage in job hunting, and 2026 followed this annual trend with a rise in applications.
The number of applications reached a record high for any period since July 2016, for which comparable data is available. Meanwhile, the number of job listings remained at a high level, resulting in the application index exceeding the baseline of 100 for the second consecutive month.
Based on annual trends, job-seeking activity among homemakers is expected to remain high until the summer vacation period, suggesting the application index will likely continue to rise. This indicates that opportunities for companies considering hiring from this demographic will continue to expand.
## Survey Overview
- Source Data: Number of job listings and applicants on 'Shufu JOB'.
- Calculation Method: The annual application rate for 2017 (weighted average of monthly data) is set as the baseline value of 100. The index for a given month is calculated based on the difference from this 2017 average. (Formula: 100 - ((Monthly Application Rate - 2017 Average Rate) * 100)).
- Notes: The actual numbers for job listings, applicants, and application rates are not disclosed. When citing this release, please credit 'Source: Shufu JOB'. If linking from a website, please use the URL: `https://part.shufu-job.jp`.
## About Shufu JOB
'Shufu JOB' is a job site for homemakers (shufu). It features a wide range of job listings that welcome this demographic, including part-time, full-time, freelance, and dispatch positions. In a survey of 1,323 members conducted in February 2024, 91% responded that they would want to use the site again.
## About b-style group
With the purpose of 'Creating value for the times,' the group aims to solve social issues and inconveniences through its innovative businesses. Since its inception, its core human resources services, including 'Shufu JOB' which has created over 200,000 jobs for homemakers, and 'Smart Career' which facilitates diverse work styles for high-level professionals, have been central to its mission. The group is also involved in supporting business process automation.