Online Employment Support Expands to Three Youth Support Stations in Hokkaido — Case Study of Virtual Space 'reBako'

Online employment support using the platform 'reBako' is expanding across regional Youth Support Stations (hereinafter 'Saposte') in Hokkaido.

The ability to deliver an 'initial point of contact' online is highly valued, especially for young people who are interested in employment but face high psychological and physical barriers to visiting physical facilities, as well as their families who have previously struggled to access support.

Challenges and Solution Approach

Youth Support Stations (Saposte) are a Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare initiative designed to support young people who wish to enter the workforce. However, on-site operations face several challenges:

- Visiting the facility itself can be a psychological and physical barrier, making it difficult to take the first step. - Support must also address anxieties held by parents and family members, not just the youth. - Limited staffing and budget make it difficult to prepare for digital transformation.

Solutions Enabled by reBako Implementation

Barrier to Visiting 👉 Accessible 24/7 from anywhere—users can enter and view materials at any time

Consultation Methods Tailored to Individuals and Families 👉 Options like chat and video calls reduce psychological burden

Staff, Budget, and Preparation Burden 👉 No app download required—easy to implement and operate

Below are case studies from three locations in Hokkaido where the use of reBako's virtual space is expanding the possibilities for community-based employment support.

Inquiries and Materials Request

Virtual Tomakomai Saposte

At the Tomakomai-Muroran Regional Youth Saposte, staff respond to chat inquiries and conduct casual interviews during opening hours.

This is a case where an 'initial point of contact' was established online to address the challenge of a wide service area and high barriers to travel and in-person visits.

The virtual space has also welcomed local government officials such as city hall staff and education board members, as well as local media representatives from newspapers.

HakoSapo Virtual Consultation Room

Hakodate Saposte provides access to event information, self-discovery seminar details, inquiry forms, and online interview sign-ups.

Every Friday from 13:00 to 16:00, staff are stationed in the virtual space to communicate with visitors via chat.

There have already been cases where registrations resulted from referrals by local employment support facilities.

Asahikawa Saposte Virtual Consultation Room

Asahikawa Saposte adopted reBako based on insights from the two earlier sites. Staff are available during opening hours.

Immediately after implementation, registrations increased. Parent interviews are also conducted in the virtual consultation room, enabling both youth and their parents—who may find in-person visits difficult—to participate easily. This online venue makes it possible to support not only youth but also their families.

Additionally, outreach to correspondence high school students is expanding the platform’s potential applications.

Virtual Tomakomai Saposte Venue

HakoSapo Virtual Consultation Room

Asahikawa Saposte Virtual Consultation Room

Future Outlook

Saposte locations nationwide face common challenges, including barriers to visiting and the need for family-inclusive support systems. Building on the Hokkaido cases, efforts to broaden access to employment support online will be expanded to Saposte locations across Japan.

Inquiries and Materials Request

What is reBako?

reBako is a virtual event hosting platform designed around the concept of 'creating real-life-like communities online.' It enables offline-style, authentic communication in an online environment.

- Browser-based access—no dedicated app installation required

- Navigable space—users can see an overview of the space, know who is where, and freely move and talk

- Face-to-face proximity—supports small group conversations while seated, stage-wide broadcasts, and table-based chats, all customizable by purpose

- Venues can be customized for events, offices, classrooms, and more

About the Operator: Sikumi Seisakusho

Under the mission of 'creating the everyday of the near future,' Sikumi Seisakusho develops products and services by collaboratively designing and building solutions from business, design, and engineering perspectives.

Company Name: Sikumi Seisakusho Co., Ltd.

Representative Director: Takuja Kuruma

Founded: August 2014

Business: IT solution services

Headquarters: 1-16 Minami 1-jo Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido

URL: https://sikmi.com/