Freelance Day

What Is Freelance Day?

December 16th is "Freelance Day" in Japan, established by Lancers, Inc., which operates Japan's first crowdsourcing service, "Lancers," to mark December 16, 2008, the day it launched the "Lancers" crowdsourcing service. The day was certified and registered by the Japan Anniversary Association in 2017.

Why Shine a Light on "Freelancing"?

This anniversary aims to spread understanding of freelancing in the broadest sense, including side work and multiple jobs alongside a primary career.

• Who it includes: not just full-time freelancers, but also company employees who take on freelance-style side jobs
• Its purpose: to help more people become aware of freelancing as a viable career option
• The backdrop: the spread of crowdsourcing has enabled work unconstrained by location or fixed hours

What Is Lancers, Inc.?

Headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo, Lancers is a pioneering company in Japan's crowdsourcing industry. It built one of Japan's earliest platforms matching businesses and individuals online, letting companies post work and freelancers take it on.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Learn about freelancing and working multiple jobs as career paths
• Think about how you might turn your own skills into a side gig
• If you know someone who works as a freelancer, ask them about what it's like
• Sign up for a crowdsourcing platform and browse available projects

An Era of Expanding Choices in How We Work

Working for a single company isn't the only way to build a career. Let December 16th be a day to explore freelancing as a lifestyle and career path, and reflect on the possibilities open to your own future.