"What's the difference between parallel work and a side job?" "I'd like to try parallel work, but I don't know where to start" — many people share these questions. With work style reforms and the spread of remote work, parallel work (known as "fukugyo" in Japanese) has been rapidly gaining attention.
This article comprehensively covers everything you need to know about parallel work — from its definition and how it differs from side jobs, to its advantages, disadvantages, and concrete steps for getting started.
Parallel work literally means "having multiple jobs, each treated as a primary occupation." Also known as a "parallel career" or "portfolio career," it has gained rapid attention since Japan's work style reforms in 2018.
The key point is that every job is positioned as a "primary" occupation. Rather than ranking jobs as main and secondary, you approach all of them with professional responsibility. This is fundamentally different from a traditional side job, which is typically subordinate to a main job.
While both concepts involve working multiple jobs, their substance differs significantly.
A side job assumes you have a main job and earn extra income through secondary work during your spare time. In contrast, parallel work has no main-secondary distinction — all jobs are treated as primary occupations, each demanding equal commitment and professionalism.
The primary purpose of a side job is to "increase income" — many people start one for extra pocket money or to supplement living expenses. Parallel work, on the other hand, pursues not just income but also "skill development," "career building," and "self-fulfillment" as key objectives.
Side jobs often involve relatively light tasks without heavy responsibility. In parallel work, however, high expertise and a professional mindset are required for every job. You must deliver results and fulfill responsibilities to multiple clients and organizations simultaneously.
Similar terms include "dual employment" (kengyo) and "parallel work." Dual employment refers to running businesses alongside your main job, a concept close to parallel work. Parallel work, regardless of whether it's paid, refers broadly to working on multiple occupational activities and sometimes includes volunteer work or community involvement.
Why is parallel work receiving so much attention today? There are three main social factors driving this trend:
In 2018, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare revised its model employment regulations to include provisions for side jobs and dual employment. Further, in July 2022, updated guidelines for promoting side jobs were released, encouraging companies to take a more open approach to employees' outside work activities.
The COVID-19 pandemic triggered rapid adoption of remote work. The elimination of commute time freed up more hours, and location-independent work became the norm, making it much more practical to juggle multiple jobs simultaneously.
As trust in the lifetime employment system erodes, more people are embracing the idea of building careers that don't depend on a single company. In an era where AI accelerates the obsolescence of certain job types and skills, maintaining expertise across multiple fields serves as a powerful career safety net.
The most obvious benefit of parallel work is having multiple sources of income. Relying on just one job means devastating consequences if that job disappears. Having multiple income streams provides a financial safety net that offers peace of mind and stability.
Skills and knowledge gained across different fields create synergistic effects. For example, applying analytical skills honed in marketing to engineering work, or bringing a designer's sensibility to business consulting — these unique skill combinations become a powerful competitive advantage that sets you apart in the market.
Through parallel work, you can connect with diverse people you would never meet working at just one company. Networks spanning different industries and professions become a source of new business opportunities, and cross-industry perspectives lead to creative innovations.
Building a career that doesn't depend on a single organization is the ultimate risk hedge in uncertain times. Even if one job becomes untenable, you can maintain your livelihood through other work. This reduces the stress and anxiety of depending entirely on one employer.
While parallel work has many benefits, there are also important points to be aware of. Understanding these in advance helps prevent problems:
Managing multiple primary jobs simultaneously significantly increases the burden of schedule management, task management, and health management. It defeats the purpose if you push yourself too hard and damage your health, or if every job ends up being done halfway. Building a sustainable pace and using management tools are essential.
If you hold a salaried position while doing parallel work, you must file a tax return when your annual parallel work income (revenue minus expenses) exceeds ¥200,000. Managing expenses and maintaining books require additional administrative effort, so using accounting software from the start is recommended.
If you're starting parallel work while employed at a company, you must check your employment regulations. Despite the growing trend of allowing side jobs, many companies still prohibit work for competitors or jobs that pose information leakage risks. Working in violation of regulations can lead to serious consequences, so always verify the rules first.
If you're interested in starting parallel work, follow these steps:
Start by identifying the skills, experience, and knowledge you possess. Beyond the expertise built in your main job, you can also find elements useful for parallel work in your hobbies and past experiences. Ask yourself, "What do other people frequently ask me for help with?" — this is a helpful starting point for discovering your strengths.
It's extremely important to be clear about "why you're pursuing parallel work." Is it to increase income, acquire new skills, or prepare for future independence? Starting with a vague purpose can lead to burnout or chasing the wrong opportunities. Having a clear goal makes decision-making much easier.
Taking on multiple large projects right away is high-risk. Start with small-scale projects or pro bono work to gauge your capacity. Crowdsourcing platforms and skill marketplaces are great for finding manageable initial projects.
Time management is the lifeline of sustainable parallel work. Create your own management system — whether it's allocating different jobs to specific days or time slots, using task management tools, or regularly reviewing how you spend your working hours.
Consistently delivering results and building trust in each job is the key to parallel work success. As trust accumulates, repeat projects and referrals expand your opportunities, allowing you to shape your parallel career closer to your ideal.
People who succeed at parallel work share several common traits. First, they have a challenger's spirit and can positively take on new things. Second, they excel at self-management — handling task management, time management, and health management without relying on external structure.
Conversely, if you prefer focusing deeply on one thing at a time, or if multitasking causes significant stress, it's recommended to start with a side job first to find your rhythm before transitioning to parallel work.
Parallel work is not simply "juggling multiple jobs." By having multiple primary occupations, you gain numerous benefits: financial stability, skill synergies, diverse networks, and career risk hedging.
Of course, there are considerations like the self-management burden and tax filing requirements, but by starting small and expanding gradually, you can minimize risks while reaping the benefits of parallel work.
If you want to build a free career unbounded by "one company, one job," why not start thinking about parallel work today?
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