＜prologue＞
I started a blog called “The Baby Boomer Generation’s Miscellaneous Blog”（Dankai-sedai no garakutatyou:団塊世代の我楽多（がらくた）帳） in July 2018, about a year before I fully retired. More than six years have passed since then, and the number of articles has increased considerably.
So, in order to make them accessible to people who don’t understand Japanese, I decided to translate my past articles into English and publish them.
It may sound a bit exaggerated, but I would like to make this my life’s work.
It should be noted that haiku and waka （Japanese short fixed form poems） are quite difficult to translate into English, so some parts are written in Japanese.
If you are interested in haiku or waka and would like to know more, please read introductory or specialized books on haiku or waka written in English.
I also write many articles about the Japanese language. I would be happy if these inspire more people to want to learn Japanese.
my blog’s URL:団塊世代の我楽多（がらくた）帳 | 団塊世代が雑学や面白い話を発信しています
my X’s URL:団塊世代の我楽多帳（@historia49) on X
(Reference) Original article in Japanese
・「ウーバーイーツ」と「出前館」の配達員の仕事は稼げるのか？違いは？
Lately, we don’t see as many delivery services from soba noodle shops or sushi restaurants carrying their food in traditional containers.
Instead, we often see delivery drivers from Uber Eats (on bicycles) and Demaekan (on motorcycles).
The difference from traditional delivery services is that orders are placed online using smartphones or computers, and the delivery drivers are not employees of the restaurants receiving the orders.
Therefore, this time, we’d like to discuss whether it’s lucrative to work as a delivery driver for Uber Eats and Demaekan, and what the differences are between the two.
1. Uber Eats
(1) How Uber Eats works
(2) How to work for Uber Eats
Here are five key points to earning money with Uber Eats:
* Earn the most in busy areas and near large train stations.
* Earn more on weekends and holidays than weekdays.
* Earn the most between 11 AM and 1 PM, and between 6 PM and 9 PM.
* Wait near popular restaurants.
* You can earn significantly more on rainy days.
① Work Style
Deliveries are primarily by bicycle or motorcycle.
② Compensation
It’s a completely commission-based system.
Compensation (delivery fee) is calculated using the following formula:
“Base Fee” (Pickup Fee + Delivery Fee + Distance Fee) – Service Fee (10%) + Incentive
“Pickup Fee” (265 yen) is incurred when you pick up the food from the restaurant.
“Delivery Fee” (125 yen) is incurred when you hand over the food to the customer.
“Distance Fee” (60 yen/km) is calculated based on the distance from the restaurant to the delivery destination.
“Service fee” refers to Uber’s fee, which is 10% of the base fare.
“Incentive” is additional compensation added on top of the above-mentioned compensation (delivery fee), applied during peak hours and locations.
③ Contractual Relationship
This is a “business consignment contract,” and you are treated as a “self-employed individual.” You are a freelance, so-called “gig worker.”
Therefore, accidents and troubles during delivery, transportation costs, gasoline costs, etc., are all your own responsibility.
However, the recent increase in news reports of accidents and dangerous driving violations by Uber Eats delivery drivers is concerning. This may be due to impatience to increase earnings by delivering as quickly as possible.
Furthermore, following the UK Supreme Court’s ruling on February 19th of this year that “Uber drivers are employees,” Uber’s UK operations representative issued a statement on March 16th stating that “Uber drivers can maintain work flexibility while receiving minimum wage guarantees, holiday pay, and pensions.”
However, Uber headquarters has not clarified whether it will implement changes to compensation outside of the UK.
2. “Demae-can” (a food delivery service)
(1) How “Demaekan” works
Demae-can is the number one food delivery service in Japan, boasting over 30 million orders annually and more than 50,000 affiliated restaurants.
It has a capital and business alliance with the LINE Group.
Its appeal lies in its ease of ordering and delivery of pizza, sushi, curry, Chinese food, bento boxes, catering, alcohol, and more from restaurants.
Demae-can partners with nationwide delivery services such as Pizza-La, Pizza Hut, and Gin no Sara, resulting in a nationwide delivery area.
Furthermore, it uses a “assigned area system,” meaning all deliveries are within approximately 3km (about 10-15 minutes one way), eliminating long-distance deliveries.
(2) Working at Demae-can
Demae-can is said to be the “easiest to earn money” through food delivery services, and this seems to be due to the unique features of its order system.
Demae-can’s order system is a “quick-press” style, where the customer’s address is displayed when an order is placed.
In contrast to Uber Eats, where only the restaurant’s address is displayed initially, making it difficult to determine efficient delivery, Demae-can offers the advantage of being able to make a decision at the time the order is received.
Also, while Uber Eats is an American company, Demae-can is a Japanese company, which may provide a sense of security.
① Work Style
Deliveries are primarily by bicycle or motorcycle, but registration for light vehicles is also possible.
② Compensation
There are two components: a “fixed fee per delivery” and “incentives (additional compensation).”
With Demae-can, the “fixed fee per delivery” is determined by the delivery area, regardless of distance or time of day. In the case of Uber Eats, the price per delivery is determined by various factors such as delivery distance and time.
“Additional compensation” is paid based on the number of deliveries completed per hour.
③ Contractual Relationships
You can choose from two types of contracts: “Part-time (direct employment)” and “Outsourcing contract (freelance).”
The characteristics of “Part-time” are as follows:
* Fully hourly wage (approximately 1,000 to 1,200 yen)
* Fixed shifts
* Must report to a base of operations
* 1 to 3 deliveries per hour is the guideline
* Uniforms are mandatory
* Excellent benefits and welfare programs
* Bicycles and motorcycles are provided free of charge
The characteristics of “Outsourcing contract” are as follows:
* Treated as an independent contractor
* Earn money at your own pace without fixed shifts
* No uniforms required; casual attire is acceptable
* You must provide your own delivery bag, bicycle, etc.
* High delivery rate of approximately 660 to 715 yen per delivery
* Limited delivery area
* Minimum 3 days until you can start working