The Option of 'Earning Foreign Currency': Side Job Demand Accelerates Amid Weak Yen

Against the backdrop of diversifying workstyles, the freelance population is estimated to have grown by about 1.5 times over the past eight years, reaching an estimated 4.3 million people (*1). Now, affected by the weak yen and rising prices, a new movement is spreading to seek 'income sources not solely dependent on the Japanese yen.' However, due to anxieties about language skills and work experience, it is also a fact that 'working overseas' is perceived as an option limited to a select group of skilled talent. A certain number of people exist who harbor anxieties about their future careers and income but are unable to take a new step forward.

In response to this background, Color WiTh Corporation (Chuo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Kodai Wakairo), in its 'Fukugyo Academy' school that supports individuals attempting side/multiple jobs (*2), will launch a new plan, the 'Overseas Project Referral Course,' in May 2026, marking its one-year anniversary and surpassing 55 students.

This plan is designed so that even those with anxieties about their English skills or work experience can enter overseas work starting with relatively accessible tasks, supporting the construction of a new income source in addition to domestic income. It can be utilized as a new option for people in diverse situations, such as those who find full-time work difficult due to childcare, nursing care, or career breaks, and those who are anxious about returning to society.

*1 Source: Calculated from the Cabinet Secretariat's 'Freelance Fact-Finding Survey Results (2020)' and recent market growth rates.
*2 What is a side/multiple job (Fukugyo): Refers to a career style of working utilizing one's own experience and skills while holding multiple jobs or activities. It is attracting attention not merely as a side job for extra income, but as a workstyle holding multiple roles centered on one's own expertise and interests.

Background | 'Limits of the Income Structure' Caused by Weak Yen and Stagnant Annual Incomes

In Japan, while average annual incomes have not changed significantly compared to about 30 years ago, prices continue to rise. According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's 'Monthly Labour Survey' and others, real wages in Japan have been roughly flat or slightly declining since the late 1990s, continuing a situation where wage increases have not kept pace with price increases.

On the other hand, overseas, even simple tasks such as survey responses and data entry are often set at higher remunerations than in Japan. For example, even for similar tasks, the hourly equivalent overseas can be around 2,000 to 4,000 yen, creating an income gap.

Due to these differences, having both 'means to earn income domestically' and 'means to earn income in foreign currency' is seen as important for risk diversification for individuals.

Current State of Overseas Crowdsourcing

Reality | The Spread of 'Side Job' Needs Seen in One Year Since Opening

Since its opening in May 2025, Fukugyo Academy has increased its number of students without conducting large-scale promotional measures, reaching 55 students in about one year. In addition, about 80% of those considering taking the course show a high decision-making rate to enroll, indicating a high need to 'increase income sources.'

Regarding the trends of students, about 1 in 2 people have actually acquired projects, creating a certain movement of earning income as a side job.

Furthermore, the attributes of the students are not skewed towards a specific demographic,
- Age: Widely distributed centering on people in their 20s to 40s
- Region: Not limited to the Tokyo metropolitan area, including residents in regional areas
- Gender: Participation regardless of gender

Such trends are seen, suggesting that 'side jobs' are spreading as an option not limited to a select skilled demographic.

Attributes of students at 'Fukugyo Academy' operated by Color WiTh Corporation

New Plan | Overseas Project Referral Course

Fukugyo Academy has so far provided comprehensive support up to project acquisition so that even beginners can aim for monetization as a side job. Based on that knowledge, as a plan to support workstyles that earn income in foreign currency, we are newly launching the 'Overseas Project Referral Course.'

In recent years, in addition to the expansion of overseas crowdsourcing services, the evolution of AI translation tools and the normalization of remote work are creating an environment where it is easy to attempt overseas projects even without English skills or overseas experience. In reality, relatively accessible task areas such as data entry, research assistance, and simple SNS operation are also increasing, and changes are occurring in the structure that 'overseas projects = highly specialized skills are necessary.'

This plan provides an environment where one can enter from accessible overseas work and aim for monetization leveraging the reliability of Japanese people as a strength.

■ Support Content

It is designed to include not merely learning support but also 'project referrals.' In schools in the same price range, designs that 'include up to project referrals' are limited, but Color WiTh provides comprehensive support from skill acquisition to project acquisition and monetization. This is not merely support to earn side income, but aims for career design capable of continuously generating income as a side job.

Support content of 'Fukugyo Academy' operated by Color WiTh Corporation

■ Instructor System

In launching the new plan, overseas