Diplomatic Correspondent

Japan plans to recruit at least 100,000 workers from Bangladesh over the next five years to address its growing labour shortage, officials and business leaders announced today (29 May) during a seminar in Tokyo.

Speaking at the seminar titled "Bangladesh Seminar on Human Resources," Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus said that the interim government would take all necessary steps to facilitate employment opportunities for Bangladeshis in Japan.

"This is going to be the most exciting day for me, the most inspiring day. This will open the door for Bangladeshis to not only work but to know Japan," said the Chief Adviser.Two Memoranda of Understanding were signed at the event. 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 signed between BMET and Japan's National Business Support Combined Cooperatives (NBCC) - a business federation comprising over 65 companies, and the Japan Bangla Bridge Recruiting Agency (JBBRA).

"This gathering is about opening the door," Yunus said, noting that Bangladesh is home to 180 million people, half of whom are under the age of 27. "The government's job is to open the door for them."

Mitsuru Matsushita, representative director of Supervising Organisation at the Shizuoka Workplace Environment Improvement Cooperative, said interest in Bangladeshi workers is growing among Japanese companies. 

"Bangladeshi talents hold great potential. It is our duty to nurture their talent," he said.

NBCC Chairman Mikio Kesagayama recalled Professor Yunus's visit to Japan 14 years ago, when he spoke about empowering women through microcredit. 

"In the coming five years, we are prepared to welcome more than 100,000 Bangladeshi workers," Kesagayama said. 

"Our Federation looks to Bangladesh for young and capable labour. They can contribute to the development of both Bangladesh and Japan."

Miki Watanabe, president of the Watami Group, shared that their school in Bangladesh currently trains 1,500 students annually and is planning to double that figure to 3,000. 

With technical education in Bangladesh, they can enter the job market in Japan," he said.

Hiroaki Yagi, chairman of the Japan International Trainee & Skilled Worker Cooperation Organisation (JITCO), said, "The number of language teachers in Bangladesh is still short."

Niki Hirobumi, state minister of Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), said Japan's declining population means the country will need the support of Bangladeshi workers. 

"This can be promising not only for Bangladesh but also for Japan," he said.

Bangladesh Ambassador to Japan Daud Ali, in his welcome remarks, said Japan could face a labour shortage of 11 million by 2040. 

"Bangladesh could take this opportunity to send more skilled workers," he added.