TOKYO - Tokyo hosted an employment support event for older workers on October 6, offering job consultations, interviews, hands-on work experience and training in artificial intelligence as the number of people aged 65 and over in the workforce continues to rise.
The Senior Job Expo, organized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in Bunkyo Ward, attracted large numbers of older people seeking new employment opportunities or considering a return to work.
The number of employed people aged 65 or older in Japan has increased for 22 consecutive years, reaching a record 9.43 million in 2025.
The event included booths where visitors could receive employment counseling and take part in recruitment interviews with companies. Other areas allowed participants to experience different types of work, including customer service and food presentation.
A 65-year-old woman who retired from an office job in June said she wanted to continue working rather than spend her retirement at home. "I've never been a full-time housewife, so I want to continue living while working," she said. After trying customer service work for the first time, she added, "It was fun. I thought it might be something I could actually do as a job."
The expo also featured a booth where visitors could gain practical experience using artificial intelligence, reflecting the growing number of companies introducing AI into their operations.
Participants were able to use the conversational AI service ChatGPT to perform computer-based tasks, including creating images, giving them an opportunity to become familiar with technology increasingly used in the workplace.
One 59-year-old man, who has been out of work after developing problems with his leg about 10 years ago, said he had been looking for employment that could be performed from home.
He previously worked in construction and had initially preferred physically active jobs, but said his condition had made returning to such work difficult. "I used to work in construction, so I thought a job where I could move around would be good, but after my leg became bad, I was rejected every time I went for an interview," he said. "If you're going to work from home, it really comes down to using a computer. I thought that in the future it might be inconvenient if I couldn't use ChatGPT."
Tokyo officials said the AI program was designed not simply to introduce participants to the technology, but to show them how it could be applied efficiently in actual workplaces.
"Recently, there have been more opportunities to use AI at work," a Tokyo Metropolitan Government official said. "We want participants to learn not only the ordinary ways of using AI, but also how they can use it efficiently in their jobs."
The metropolitan government hopes the courses will help older job seekers acquire practical AI skills that can improve their employment prospects as technology becomes increasingly integrated into everyday business operations.
Source: TOKYO MX NEWS
