Japan snack company Calbee now ‘hiring’ people to sleep
Calbee’s “job posting” for sleepers. (Image courtesy of Calbee)
TOKYO — Japan’s world-famous snack maker Calbee Inc. is looking for the right people to sleep on the job. Necessary skills and experience: none.
The Tokyo-based food company, which also produces an over-the-counter sleep aid called “Nyumin,” began accepting applicants for a paid sleep study on Dec. 9.
Those selected will join the “Sleep performance improvement program” under the supervision of Masashi Yanagisawa, a renowned sleep researcher and professor at the University of Tsukuba’s International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine. While sleeping at their own homes, participants’ will have their brain waves measured using a tool over the course of several nights. Information on sleep quality and the study results will be delivered over social media.
With major changes in peoples’ lifestyles due to the coronavirus pandemic, the number of people with sleep issues continues to rise. Calbee’s sleep support program will offer a way for people to challenge themselves to improve their sleep. Five people will be paid 50,000 yen (about $360) each to join the study, and a further 50,000 yen will be given to participants who are able to improve their sleep quality.
(Japanese original by Kazuki Sakuma, Business News Department)
