Japan plans to recruit at least 100,000 Bangladeshi workers over the next five years as part of its strategy to address a growing workforce deficit, officials from both countries announced during a high-profile seminar in Tokyo on Thursday.
In a landmark announcement during the “Bangladesh Seminar on Human Resources” held at Tokyo’s Toshi Kaikan conference hall, Japanese authorities and business leaders revealed plans to hire over one lakh Bangladeshi workers within the next five years. The initiative aims to fill critical labour gaps in Japan’s aging and shrinking population.
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, representing Bangladesh’s interim government, said his administration would make every effort to support this historic opportunity. “This is going to be the most exciting and inspiring day for me. It will open the door for Bangladeshis to not only work but also experience Japan,” he remarked.
At the seminar, two key Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed. The first was between Bangladesh’s Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training (BMET) and Kaicom Dream Street (KDS), a Japan-Bangladesh joint venture. The second was with Japan’s National Business Support Combined Cooperatives (NBCC), representing over 65 companies, and JBBRA (Japan Bangla Bridge Recruiting Agency).
Mitsuru Matsushita, director of the Shizuoka Workplace Environment Improvement Cooperative, emphasized the rising demand for Bangladeshi workers in Japan, calling them “talented and full of potential.”
Echoing similar sentiments, Mikio Kesagayama, NBCC chairman, stated, “Our federation looks to Bangladesh for young and capable labour. They can contribute to the development of both nations.”
Miki Watanabe, president of Watami Group, said their vocational school in Bangladesh trains 1,500 students annually and will soon double its capacity to 3,000, preparing more skilled workers for the Japanese market.
JITCO Chairman Hiroaki Yagi acknowledged the challenges, particularly the shortage of Japanese language teachers in Bangladesh, which remains a hurdle for workforce integration.
Japan’s State Minister for Health, Labour and Welfare, Niki Hirobumi, underscored the urgency of the move. “With our declining population, Japan needs support from the Bangladeshi workforce. This partnership holds promise for both sides,” he said.
Bangladesh Ambassador to Japan Daud Ali highlighted that Japan could face a labour shortfall of 11 million by 2040. “This presents a tremendous opportunity for Bangladesh to export skilled manpower,” he added.
Japanese employers who have already recruited Bangladeshi workers praised their work ethic, competence, and professionalism, expressing eagerness to bring in more recruits.
The event was also attended by Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Lutfey Siddiqi, and SDG Affairs Coordinator Lamiya Morshed.
Professor Yunus is currently in Tokyo on a four-day visit to attend the 30th Nikkei Forum: Future of Asia and to meet Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba for bilateral discussions.
LND/BG
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