[2026] Regional Revitalization and U-turn Consciousness Survey: 'Sharefull' Spot Work Research

## Background
Amidst the intensifying labor shortage across Japan, creating a 'relational population'—people who engage diversely with regions without necessarily settling there permanently—has become an urgent national priority. In January 2026, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications announced the establishment of the 'Furusato Resident Registration System,' signaling a strong government focus on regional revitalization. In this context, Sharefull Inc. surveyed its users to understand their potential involvement in regional issues and the role of spot work.

## Survey Overview
- Target: Users of the 'Sharefull' app
- Method: In-app survey via 'Sharefull Points'
- Valid Responses: 14,722
- Date: Monday, May 11, 2026

## Key Findings
1. **U-turn Intentions**: Approximately 38% of those not currently living in their hometowns wish to return. Among students, this figure rises to 49%.
2. **Interest in Regional Revitalization**: About 51% of all respondents (53% for students) expressed interest in solving regional issues.
3. **Spot Work Application Intent**: Around 55% of all respondents (59% for students) expressed a desire to apply for spot work jobs focused on regional revitalization.

## Analysis
The survey highlights the strong interest in regional revitalization among the younger generation. Spot work, which allows people to work for a few hours or days, is a low-barrier method for creating a 'relational population' compared to permanent migration. This new working style, acting as a 'touchpoint' before full-scale U-turn employment, matches the needs of students and is expected to expand the relational population in the future.