Contracting gains momentum in Japan as organisations turn to specialist expertise to meet rising skill demands
専門人材の確保に向け、企業の活用が加速

The latest findings from Hays’ The Evolving Role of Contracting in Asia report highlight how contracting is gaining traction in Japan as organisations seek more flexible ways to access skills, manage costs and deliver business outcomes.
 
Drawing on responses from 1,930 contractors and hiring managers across Asia and supplemented with findings from the 2026 Hays Asia Salary Guide, the report provides a comprehensive view of how contracting is evolving and the role it plays in addressing skill shortages and supporting workforce strategy.
 
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Contracting use set to rise further

Contracting adoption is gaining pace in Japan, with 47 per cent of organisations considering hiring contractors today. This reflects a growing shift in how organisations approach workforce planning, particularly as they look for faster and more flexible ways to access talent.
 
Recent trends also point to sustained growth in demand. While 39 per cent of organisations have increased their use of contractors over the past 12 months, this is expected to rise further, with 43 per cent planning to increase contractor use in the next 12 months.
 
This demand is being driven by several factors. Half of organisations (50 per cent) cite difficulties finding suitable permanent employees, while 48 per cent are looking to ensure flexibility of staffing costs. 44 per cent turn to contractors for access to specific skills for one-off projects.
 
 
 

Japan Competition for contractors is heating up

 
As adoption of contracting continues to grow, competition for talent is intensifying. In Japan, 69 per cent of organisations cite the limited availability of suitable candidates as the biggest barrier to securing top contract talent.
 
This reflects a broader environment where demand for experienced professionals continues to outpace supply, particularly for specialist and high-impact roles. As a result, organisations are under increasing pressure to act quickly and differentiate their approach to attracting contractors.
 
 
 

Benefits emerging as a key differentiator

 
As contracting becomes more established, contractor expectations are also evolving. Contractors in Japan highlight the importance of benefits such as health insurance, paid time off and retirement contributions as key components of their overall proposition.
 
However, there remains a gap between expectations and what is currently offered, with only 39 per cent of contractors receiving any form of non-monetary benefits. This presents a clear opportunity for organisations to strengthen their contractor value proposition beyond pay alone.
 
 
 

Grant Torrens, Managing Director for Hays Japan comments: 

 
“In Japan, contracting has become a key alternative to the challenges of securing permanent talent. But as more organisations move in this direction, competition for contractors is rising quickly. Businesses are now drawing from the same limited pool of specialist professionals, making it harder to secure the talent they need.”
 
“As more companies turn to contractors to fill skill gaps, leaders will need to be more strategic in how they position and secure contract talent. Benefits now play an increasingly important role in attracting experienced professionals in a tightening market.”
 
 
Download the Evolving Role of Contracting in Asia report here.