BD eyes Japan's labour mkt as demand for 11m foreign workers looms

November 08, 2025 00:00:00

Manpower exporters from Bangladesh and the Japanese recruiting agencies signed deals on the occasion of a seminar on ‘Bangladesh: A Potential source of skilled manpower for Japan’ organised by the Embassy of Bangladesh in Tokyo on Friday.— PID

Bangladesh on Friday highlighted its importance as a highly potential source country of skilled human resources for Japan which requires around 11 million foreign workers by 2040, reports UNB.

The Embassy of Bangladesh in Tokyo organised a seminar followed by a business matching event at a conference center in Nagoya city of Japan.

The event was supported by the Japan International Trainee and Skilled Worker Cooperation Organization (JITCO).

Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Dr Neyamat Ullah Bhuiyan attended the event as the chief guest.

Around 250 manpower-sending and recruiting organizations participated in the seminar.

Bangladesh's Ambassador to Japan Md Daud Ali assured full cooperation from the Bangladesh Embassy in facilitating the deployment of skilled Bangladeshi workers to Japan.

Dr Neyamat highlighted a statistical comparison of the human resource situation in Japan and Bangladesh noting the fact that Japan is projected to require around 11 million foreign workers by 2040.

He said Bangladesh currently has a surplus of about 25 million working-age individuals-a trend expected to continue until 2040.

The senior secretary vowed to take all possible steps to fill Japan's 11 million labor shortage by 2040.

He also referred to the designation of 33 Technical Training Centers (TTCs) dedicated to preparing Bangladeshi manpower for the Japanese labor market, adding that the number could be increased if necessary.

The senior secretary mentioned the establishment of a "Japan Cell" within the Ministry as a coordination and communication point specifically focused on the Japanese labor market.

Dr Bhuiyan expressed hope that both countries would benefit from the joint efforts of Bangladeshi and Japanese recruiting organizations.

Ambassador Shigeo Matsutomi, Senior Vice President of JITCO, made a presentation on global labor market trends and the employment prospects in Japan.

Later, four instruments were signed between Bangladeshi manpower-sending agencies and Japanese recruiting companies.

Officials of the Bangladesh Embassy were also present at the seminar.