Biication launch combines skills and travel to support rural Japan garages

Upty Inc. has announced the launch of an industry-first service in Japan, named “Biication”, that combines skilled labour with domestic tourism to address the critical shortage of car mechanics in the nation’s regional areas.

The initiative aims to dispatch qualified mechanics to understaffed garages in rural Japan for fixed-term placements of at least two months. The name “Biication” is a portmanteau of the Japanese word for maintenance, seibi (整備), and “workation”, a term for working while on holiday.

This model offers a new solution for regional garages struggling with recruitment. Instead of a traditional hourly wage, garages are billed on a per-job basis for tasks such as vehicle inspections and accessory installations. Upty ensures all dispatched workers are qualified mechanics with at least a Grade 3 certification and three years of practical experience. The service also provides a potential pathway to full-time employment.

For the mechanics, the programme offers a novel lifestyle, providing them with the freedom to “choose when and where to work”. While earning income, they receive accommodation subsidies and can spend their free time exploring the local area, engaging in hobbies, and forming new connections. A dedicated support centre, staffed by experienced industry professionals, is available via LINE to assist with any work-related or living arrangement queries.

Upty plans to expand the service by collaborating with local governments. The company plans to use this initiative to contribute to revitalising rural regions.