Construction app offers fix for Japan’s super-tight labour market

FILE PHOTO: Heavy machinery are seen at the new Tokyo Metropolitan Central Wholesale Market, known as Toyosu market, which will take over from the famous Tsukiji market, under construction in the Toyosu district in Tokyo, Japan, September 27, 2016. REUTERS/Toru Hanai/File Photo

One of Yosuke Kobayashi’s biggest headaches has been finding enough workers to build hotels, restaurants and bath houses for his construction company. 

That was until the manager at construction company Luckland Co found Sukedachi, a mobile app that connects contractors and tradespeople. Nowadays, he’s hiring carpenters, painters and glaziers with just a few taps on his smartphone.