Tokyo security guard turns duct-tape hobby into sought-after design brand

What began as a practical response to crowded station renovations has become a lesson in the economic value of transferable skills and non-monetary incentives. Japanese security guard Shuetsu Sato transformed simple duct-tape signs into a recognised design style now used by major firms such as Nintendo and Nike, despite having no formal artistic training. His rise highlights how human capital can emerge outside traditional labour markets, while his willingness to work largely for meals, travel costs and personal satisfaction suggests intrinsic motivation can sometimes outweigh financial reward. In a world obsessed with credentials, Sato’s comparative advantage appears to be sticky tape and creativity. Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japanese-security-guard-finds-fame-designer-duct-tape-signs-2026-05-25/

Japanese security guard finds fame as designer of duct tape signs | Reuters

1. Explain how transferable skills increase the occupational mobility of workers.

2. Assess two reasons why money is not always the main reason for supplying labour.

3. Discuss the benefits to the economy of higher human capital.