Japan to recruit 100,000 Bangladeshi workers over next 5 years

Japan plans to recruit at least 100,000 workers from Bangladesh within the next five years to address its growing labor shortage, Japanese authorities and business leaders announced on Thursday.

Speaking at the “Bangladesh Seminar on Human Resources” in Tokyo, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus pledged the interim government’s full support to create job opportunities for Bangladeshis in Japan.

“This is an exciting and inspiring day. It opens the door for Bangladeshis not only to work but also to build a deeper connection with Japan,” said Prof. Yunus.

During the event, two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed: one between Bangladesh’s Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training (BMET) and Kaicom Dream Street (KDS), a Japan-Bangladesh joint venture, and another between BMET and Japan’s National Business Support Combined Cooperatives (NBCC) along with the Japan Bangla Bridge Recruiting Agency (JBBRA).

Highlighting Bangladesh’s youthful population of 180 million, half of whom are under 27, Prof. Yunus said, “The government’s job is to open the door for this talent.”

Representatives from Japanese organizations expressed strong interest in recruiting Bangladeshi workers, noting their potential to contribute significantly to Japan’s economy.

Mikio Kesagayama, chairman of NBCC, recalled Prof. Yunus’ earlier efforts and said, “We are ready to welcome over 100,000 Bangladeshi workers in the coming five years. They can play an important role in the development of both countries.”

The seminar was attended by Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Lutfey Siddiqi, and Principal Coordinator on SDG Affairs Lamiya Morshed, among others.

Prof. Yunus arrived in Tokyo on Wednesday for a four-day visit to attend the 30th Nikkei Forum: Future of Asia and to hold talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.