Circle Economy has launched a Data Explorer for the Japanese city of Gamagori. Developed in collaboration with Harch Inc. and the city itself. This digital tool provides a visual overview and key insights into circular jobs in the city, along with recommendations to increase the circularity of its economy.
In late 2021, Gamagori committed to advancing the circular economy in order to enhance the well-being of its residents. To support this effort, Circle Economy mapped the city’s circular jobs, providing a starting point for creating more employment opportunities that will drive the circular transition forward.
The analysis found that 611 out of 35,918 jobs (1.7%) in Gamagori contribute to the circular economy, either directly or indirectly. About 1.1% of jobs are considered direct circular jobs, meaning they operate directly within the circular economy, such as roles in circular design, repair, renewable energy generation, and waste and resource management. Approximately 0.6% of jobs in Gamagori are indirect circular jobs, which provide crucial support for direct circular jobs—for example, by supplying spare parts for repairs.
The service sector accounts for the highest number of circular jobs, while utilities, despite being the smallest in terms of employment, show the highest proportion of circular jobs at 15.4%, primarily in water and waste management. Sectors such as medical care and welfare, transportation and postal services, accommodation and food services, construction, and manufacturing—though large employers—currently have low percentages of circular jobs but hold significant potential for growth.
To advance the circular economy, Gamagori could invest in education and reskilling programmes to help workers transition from linear to circular roles. The city could also incentivise job creation in high-potential sectors like manufacturing and services through measures such as tax deductions and wage subsidies. Additionally, the relatively low percentage of indirect circular jobs provides an opportunity to reshape city services to better promote the circular economy. Engaging sectors like finance, insurance and research could be key in developing and implementing new business models in the circular economy.
The Gamagori Data Explorer is a pilot project with the potential to expand to other cities across Japan and beyond.
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