FUKUOKA - As workplaces reopen following the Golden Week holidays in Japan, agencies offering "retirement代行" (job-quitting proxy) services are reporting a surge in requests. These services, which inform employers of a worker's resignation on their behalf, are increasingly used by new employees—many of whom find themselves overwhelmed in their first year of work due to power harassment, excessive unpaid overtime, or discrepancies between job listings and actual duties.
A Fukuoka-based agency established last year said it received nearly 40 requests on May 7th alone. The company typically sees a spike in demand immediately after long holidays. Many clients are recent university graduates who feel unable to endure hostile work environments, where supervisors blame them unfairly or pressure them socially, including during after-work drinking sessions.
The agency’s staff, such as a representative named Kishida, makes resignation calls on behalf of clients and handles subsequent logistics like confirming remaining paid leave and retrieving personal items. On May 18th, they accepted a case involving a man working in sales, who cited emotional distress from daily reprimands by clients and neglect by superiors.
The agency also shared that a growing number of companies are already familiar with such resignations, with one HR officer commenting, “Is this the same service we’ve dealt with before?” after receiving a resignation call.
A survey conducted among new employees this fiscal year revealed that about one in four would consider using such a service. On the streets, public opinion was split. While some sympathized with workers who feel too mentally drained to resign face-to-face, others expressed concern that such services might damage a person's reputation or job prospects, especially within tightly-knit industries.
One young man who recently quit via an agency said he had no other option. Employed in the transport sector, he described being pressured into earlier work hours than agreed upon, facing constant overtime without extra pay, and receiving no support from management. "It was mentally exhausting," he said. "I couldn’t even imagine telling them I wanted to quit. I didn’t know how they’d react."
Now working part-time while seeking new employment, he said he finally feels ready to move forward. "I’m glad I quit. I finally feel like I can start the next chapter," he added.
A woman working in elderly care recounted how two colleagues quit via such a service after suffering power harassment. Their resignations triggered workplace reforms, including the reassignment of their abusive supervisor. "They spoke up for all of us," she said.
Still, experts urge caution. Labor and social security attorney Matsuda warns that using a proxy resignation service could be viewed negatively by future employers. In industries where executives are often connected, such details might come to light and influence hiring decisions.
The services typically cost around 20,000 yen for regular employees—considered affordable compared to legal consultation fees. In addition to handling resignation formalities, many agencies now offer job-search support as part of their packages.
A recent poll of nearly 500 people found that 77% support the use of such services, with only 23% opposed. While opinions differ, many agree that in situations where open communication with employers is difficult, resignation agencies may serve as a necessary buffer—providing a less harmful alternative to simply disappearing from the workplace without notice.
Source: KBC
