Japan has announced plans to recruit at least 100,000 workers from Bangladesh over the next five years to address its growing labor shortage.
The announcement was made during a human resources seminar held in Tokyo, where senior Bangladeshi and Japanese officials emphasized the potential of enhanced bilateral workforce collaboration.
Professor Muhammad Yunus, serving as Chief Adviser, stated that Bangladesh`s interim government will use its full capacity to create employment opportunities for Bangladeshis in Japan.
He highlighted that this initiative would not only generate jobs but also foster cultural and professional exchanges between the two countries.
Two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed during the event—one between Bangladesh’s Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) and Kaicom Dream Street, and another involving BMET, Japan’s National Business Support Combined Cooperatives (representing over 65 receiving companies), and the Japan-Bangla Bridge Recruiting Agency.
Japanese employers expressed optimism about Bangladeshi workers. Representatives from NBCC and various cooperatives noted the high potential among Bangladeshi youth, with many companies already exploring recruitment options.
Watami Group’s president mentioned plans to double the intake of students from a technical school in Bangladesh to 3,000 annually, training them for Japanese industries.
However, challenges such as limited Japanese language instructors in Bangladesh were acknowledged. Japan’s labor minister stated that the declining population makes foreign workforce integration essential.
Bangladesh’s ambassador to Japan noted the country could face a labor shortfall of 11 million by 2040—presenting a significant opportunity for Bangladeshi manpower.
