A spotlight on a grim aspect of the Japanese economy reveals how six individuals out of 38 were paid as middlemen in the illicit arena of "dark part-time jobs". These often-undocumented roles pay under the table, fail to follow labor laws or offer protections, and are rampant in many industries. The issue is gradually drawing attention due to advocacy and media reporting, sparking an ongoing public discussion about economic exploitation and workers' rights.

Inside Japan, part-time jobs are often seen as a personal choice or a student's rite of passage. However, these jobs, often marginalized and overlooked, can face exploitation, underpayment, and other forms of abuse. The revelation of this "dark business activity" has sparked social conversations about the perils of economic inequality and the inadequate protection of labor rights.

Similarly, in the US and EU, there are debates about the exploitation of part-time or gig economy workers. For instance, the fight for a higher minimum wage, state versus federal labor laws, gig economy issues (like those relating to Uber) and so on. Unlike Japan, though, there have been more legislative attempts to protect these workers, and unions often play a significant role.