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May 29, 2025 – Japan has announced plans to hire at least 100,000 workers from Bangladesh over the next five years to tackle its growing labor shortage, according to Japanese authorities and business representatives. The announcement was made during the ‘Bangladesh Seminar on Human Resources’ held in Tokyo on Thursday, May 29, 2025.
Speaking at the seminar, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus emphasized the interim government’s commitment to creating employment opportunities for Bangladeshis in Japan. “This is one of the most exciting and inspiring days for me. This initiative is not just about jobs but also about opening doors for Bangladeshis to understand Japan,” he said.
Two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were witnessed by Professor Yunus during the event. The first was signed between Bangladesh’s Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) and Kaikom Dream Street (KDS), a Japan-Bangladesh joint venture. The second MoU was between BMET and Japan’s National Business Support Combined Cooperatives (NBSCC), a federation of over 65 Japanese companies, along with the Japan-Bangla Bridge Recruiting Agency (JBBRA).
Highlighting Bangladesh’s demographic advantage, Professor Yunus noted that the country has a population of 180 million, with half under the age of 27. “The government’s role is to open doors for them,” he added.
Mitsuru Matsushita, Representative Director of Shizuoka’s Work Environment Development Cooperative, expressed enthusiasm for Bangladeshi workers, stating, “Many Japanese companies are showing interest in Bangladeshis, and I believe this trend will continue. Bangladeshi talent has immense potential, and it is our responsibility to nurture it.”
Mikio Kesayama, Chairman of NBSCC, recalled Professor Yunus’s visit to Japan 14 years ago, where he discussed empowering women through microcredit. He added, “Our federation sees Bangladesh as a promising source of young, skilled workers who can contribute to the development of both nations. We are ready to welcome 100,000 Bangladeshi workers over the next five years.”
Miki Watanabe, President of Watami Group, shared that their school in Bangladesh trains 1,500 students annually and plans to double this number to 3,000. “Bangladeshi technical trainees can enter Japan’s job market,” he said.
Hiroaki Yagi, Chairman of the Japan International Trainee and Skilled Worker Cooperation Organization (JITCO), discussed the potential and challenges of Bangladeshi workers in Japan’s labor market, noting a shortage of language teachers in Bangladesh as a key issue.
Japan’s State Minister for Health, Labour, and Welfare, Niki Hirobumi, highlighted Japan’s declining population and the need for Bangladeshi workers. “This is not only beneficial for Bangladesh but also a promising opportunity for Japan,” he said.
In his welcome address, Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Japan, Md. Daud Ali, noted that Japan’s labor shortage could reach 11 million by 2040. He emphasized that Bangladesh could seize this opportunity by sending more skilled workers.
AI/MR
