The economy in Aichi Prefecture is getting a new burst of energy from the ongoing World Exposition and a newly opened international airport. Yet it is also facing an unexpected problem.
The six-month expo, which runs until Sept. 25, and the opening of the Central Japan International Airport, known as Centrair, on Feb. 17 are giving an economic boost to the prefecture that is home to Toyota Motor Corp. But the Chubu region, which includes Nagoya, does not have enough workers.
The problem is not only affecting Toyota, Japan's top automaker, but also companies in the services sector, including department stores.
Personnel departments are stressed out over the problem and they have their eyes set on the roughly 10,000 people who may be looking for new jobs after the expo ends.