JR East Group's In-Station Commercial Facility 'ecute' Launches Trial of New Spot-Work Service 'Q-Cast'

JR East Cross Station Co., Ltd. Development Company (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Company President: Yoshiaki Shirata, hereinafter "JR-Cross") and Matchbox Technologies Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture, Representative Director and President: Hiroaki Sato, hereinafter "Matchbox Technologies") will conduct a proof-of-concept trial of a new service "Q-Cast" from April to the end of July 2026. The service aims to secure human resources for shops in the in-station commercial facility "ecute" and support safe employment. "Q-Cast" is a unique "facility-specific" spot-work service (gig job) that matches personnel who have mastered the common business operations required to work at ecute with shops. **By connecting shops with "reliable, ready-to-work personnel" and workers with an "environment where they can work safely at a variety of shops" in the specific location of a train station, we aim to resolve severe labor shortages and create attractive workplaces.** This service is a joint proof-of-concept trial between the two companies, based on a business concept by JR-Cross, with Matchbox Technologies providing system supply and operational support. **Pre-registration for workers (job seekers) is being accepted on the official website ahead of the start of the trial.** [Details and worker registration here] "Q-Cast" Official Website ## About "Q-Cast" "Q-Cast" is a unique system that connects the shops with workers called "Casts" (active shop staff working in ecute, past employees, and personnel newly trained by JR-Cross). ## ### [Workers (Job Seekers): Turn a Variety of Shops into Workplaces in Your Spare Time] New workers learn common ecute rules and customer service manners through prior training (paid) conducted by JR-Cross. They can safely work as ready-to-work Casts at a wide variety of shops located inside ecute. In addition, with the outstanding access of a train station, they can work not only within the facility but also at ecute facilities in other stations.