OSAKA –
Performers at Universal Studios Japan are raising concerns about demanding working conditions behind the Osaka theme park’s colorful shows and character appearances, with some describing the work as an example of employers taking advantage of workers’ enthusiasm for jobs they once dreamed of doing.
Universal Studios Japan, which is marking its 25th anniversary this year and attracts about 16 million visitors annually, has faced complaints from some entertainers appearing in shows and parades who say the physical and mental demands of their work are excessive.
Among the most demanding positions are said to be performers inside character costumes at Super Nintendo World, including Mario and Luigi.
According to performers, many of those working in character roles are engaged under outsourcing contracts rather than as regular employees. Some characters require performers to carry batteries and equipment used to operate features such as blinking eyes and recorded voices.
One performer said they had been told the equipment could weigh about 30 kilograms.
Performers may appear five times a day, with each appearance lasting around 30 minutes, while the total period they are required to remain at the workplace can extend to as long as 10 hours.
They say breaks between performances can also be limited because the intervals are used for changing costumes, checking equipment and reviewing whether any problems occurred during the previous appearance.
A former performer described becoming physically and mentally exhausted by the work, saying tears would sometimes come without warning and that simply thinking about performing could cause stomach pain.
Working inside heavy costumes during hot weather was also described as a major physical burden.
The complaints have drawn attention because many entertainers joined the theme park after aspiring for years to work there, raising concerns that workers’ passion for entertainment and character performance may make them more willing to tolerate difficult conditions.
Questions have also been raised over the use of outsourcing contracts. Under Japanese labor rules, whether someone is treated as an independent contractor or a worker can depend on the actual nature of the working relationship rather than solely on how the contract is described.
The allegations have prompted calls for closer examination of working hours, compensation, employment arrangements and physical demands before conclusions are drawn about whether performers are being treated unfairly.
Theme park entertainment is inherently physically demanding, particularly for performers wearing heavy costumes in summer temperatures, but critics argue that the popularity of such jobs can make it harder for workers to push for improved pay and conditions because there is a steady supply of applicants eager to enter the industry.
For employees who regarded working at USJ as a dream job, the dispute has highlighted a broader question facing entertainment businesses: whether enthusiasm for a highly sought-after occupation can result in workers accepting conditions they might reject elsewhere.
Source: 3分でわかる時事ニュース速報
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