JAL, which has bases throughout Japan, has been continuously implementing regional revitalization initiatives (currently the “JAL Furusato Project”), and in August 2020 launched the “JAL Furusato Ambassadors,” cabin crew members selected through an in-house recruitment process who move to the area to promote initiatives in their respective regions. In December of the same year, JAL appointed “JAL Hometown Cheering Troops” who are involved in regional revitalization while serving as flight attendants. The aim is to develop products and solve regional issues for hometowns and other regions with which they have connections, utilizing the knowledge they have accumulated as flight attendants.
We spoke with Momoko Nobusue, a JAL Furusato Ambassador who is involved in promoting the skeeter system in Fukuoka.
–What can you tell us about your initiatives?
Hello everyone! This is Nobusue, JAL Furusato Ambassador for Fukuoka Prefecture.
Have you heard of the “Sketter” system? Sketter is a matching service for paid volunteers in the field of nursing care and welfare, connecting nursing homes that need help with those who want to support them. No qualifications are required, and anyone is welcome to join.
Starting in 2026, JLA will work with Skeeter Service to lower the hurdles for people to participate in volunteer activities and to increase the number of people involved in caregiver welfare and the population involved with communities in need of care.
–How are you involved in this effort?
Many municipalities across Japan are beginning to adopt sketters, and we visited Kitakyushu City Home, which accepts sketters in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, to talk with President Soga and the staff.
Nobusue: How do you utilize the sketcher system?
President Soga: Currently, at our facilities, we mainly ask for bathroom cleaning. Some facilities may have helpers who have a lot of interaction with facility users, but since these are people we are meeting for the first time, we are currently asking them to do indirect work in consideration of mutual trust and infectious diseases. Since anyone can help, we have a wide range of visitors, from students in their 20s to people in their 60s, both men and women.
Nobusue: Have you noticed any changes since you started using Sketter?
Staff Matsuoka: While the sketters are helping us, the staff has more time to interact with the residents and users, which is very helpful. Thanks to the sketters, our staff members have more time to relax mentally and physically.
Nobusue: How do you want to develop this business in the future?
President Soga: Two people who had already been helping us as sketters have found employment at our facility. They came to us as repeat sketters and liked the atmosphere of the facility, including the staff. We are very glad to have this sketcher program because we are in an industry with a shortage of staff.
Nobusue: What would you like to say to those who have not yet started with Skeeter?
Staff Ms. Nagano: We know that some of you have never set foot in our facility, so we would be happy if you could use the “Skeeter” to get to know our facility. Please feel free to join us! We look forward to seeing you!
President Soga: In the future, we would definitely consider providing assistance in chaperoning outings to parks and other places, and in preparing for and cleaning up events such as fields days, as long as there are no problems with infectious diseases. We hope that those who are interested in nursing care and welfare, as well as those who are not, will feel free to join us and start “sketching” as one of their new challenges, and that they can earn JAL miles through our activities and travel to various areas.
–What is your message to travelers?
As mentioned in Chairman Soga’s comment, we are now also able to earn JAL frequent flyer miles through our sketcher activities!
Why not take this opportunity to give back to your hometown, communicate with local people in the time you have left on your trip, or use the Skeeter itself as an opportunity to travel and be a “helper” to someone else?
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