Asia-Pacific

'Macho Caregivers' - Japanese Bodybuilders Filling Staff Shortages

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By Kris Ma/Ai Chi

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In Japan, a care company is hiring bodybuilders to tackle worker shortages. Their strength and discipline improve patient care, attract new talent and boost revenue while challenging the idea that caregiving is only women’s work.

Japanese Bodybuilders Fill Shortages of Caregivers

 

REPORTER:  

In Japan, young male bodybuilders are stepping up to ease labor shortages in the care industry, taking on its physically demanding roles.

 

REPORTER:  

With a tan and prominent biceps under a black sleeveless vest, care worker Usui Takuya is among those who have built a rapport with patients at a care center for people with disabilities, operated by Visionary, a firm based in Nagoya. Usui shares what he has learned on the job.

 

Yamaguchi Madoka (PATIENT, VISIONARY’S CARE CENTER):  

[I’ve not taught you anything] right? Nothing.

 

Usui Takuya (BODYBUILDER, CARE WORKER):  

Well, her hard-working attitude. As you can see, she can’t quite use her hands. But she doesn’t give up. She uses her mouth instead. That inventiveness and resourcefulness I find very inspiring. [speaking to his patient] Don't be so shy.

 

REPORTER:  

The company has attracted male bodybuilders with perks, like paid gym time and protein-shake subsidies. It hired 168 people last year, after previously struggling to recruit even one care worker a year.

 

Tatsumi Hokuto (PROFESSIONAL BODYBUILDER, CARE WORKER):  

I started weight training while working as a military officer and participated in competitions. When I learned about Visionary, I was attracted to the idea of using weight training, which was my hobby, and my muscles in a way that could contribute to society.

 

REPORTER:  

With these employees putting their muscles to work, Visionary’s revenue is now booming.

 

Its CEO, Niwa Yusuke, says bodybuilders are suited to care work, because they’re used to hard training and strict diets, which can be a great advantage for caregivers who support the same clients every day.

 

Niwa Yusuke (CEO, VISIONARY):  

Bodybuilders are extremely photogenic, cool and the embodiment of tireless hard work.

 

REPORTER:  

With Japan’s super-aged society, it’s suffering from a labor shortage in the care industry, with nearly four vacancies for every job seeker. The Labor Ministry predicts a shortfall of 570,000 caregivers by 2040, driven by low wages that fail to match the physically demanding nature of the work.

 

But, the CEO says “Macho Caregivers” can help address this.

 

Niwa Yusuke (CEO, VISIONARY):  

We need to become a more reliable industry, one where we can confidently say: 'Leave caregiving to us.' This would allow individuals to focus entirely on their work, learning or pursuing other aspirations. Being able to clearly define and separate these roles is, in my opinion, essential for Japan's economic development.

 

REPORTER:  

In Japan, thousands of people leave their jobs every year to care for family, and even more are juggling work and caregiving at the same time.

 

With men mostly absent from these roles, women take on the bulk of the responsibility. Now, the “muscle care” approach is stepping in, not just helping meet the demand, but also challenging the idea that caregiving is only women’s work.

 

Kris Ma and Ai Chi for TaiwanPlus