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Key Points

India and Japan have finalized a major human resources agreement that will see 500,000 people exchanged over five years. This includes 50,000 skilled and semi-skilled Indian workers going to Japan to address specific labor shortages. The plan leverages natural complementarity between India's workforce and Japan's economic needs. Both countries will also promote cultural exchanges and Japanese language education in India.

Key Points: Japan to Take 50000 Skilled Indian Workers in 5 Years MEA Says

  • Japan faces labor shortages in specific sectors requiring skilled workers
  • India has large pool of skilled and semi-skilled personnel available
  • Plan includes promoting Japanese language education in India
  • Bilateral exchanges aim for joint research and value creation
3 min read

Japan to take 50,000 skilled and semi-skilled personnel from India in 5 years: MEA

India and Japan sign landmark human resource action plan for 500,000 people exchange, including 50,000 skilled Indian workers to address Japan's labor shortages.

"Japan has a dynamic economy, but also faces a labour shortage in certain specific sectors - Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri"

Tokyo, August 29

India and Japan concluded an important action plan on human resources on Friday, aiming to exchange 500,000 people over the next five years, including 50,000 skilled and semi-skilled personnel from India to Japan, the MEA said.

While adressing the MEA press briefing on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Japan visit, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said, "There is an Indian diaspora in Japan, but the mechanics of how to leverage this better have been a subject of discussion between both governments."

"And we find that one of the outcomes of these discussions is the discovery of a natural complementarity between the two sides of what India can provide at this point in time and what Japanese society, Japanese economy, and Japanese business need at this point in time," he added.

Further, Misri noted that "Japan has a dynamic economy, but also faces a labour shortage in certain specific sectors. India has a large pool of skilled and semi-skilled personnel who can fill the need in precisely some of these sectors in Japan."

"The two sides concluded an important action plan on human resource exchange today, which sets a headline number of two-way exchange of people of 5,00,000 over the next five years, including 50,000 skilled and semi-skilled personnel from India to Japan," he added.

"During the India-Japan Annual Summit of 2025, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japan concurred on the need to foster deeper understanding between their citizens through visits and exchanges, and to find collaborative avenues for their human resources to co-create values and address respective national priorities," the action plan for India-Japan Human Resource Exchange and Cooperation reads.

Further, the MEA emphasised that the action plan aims to "leverage manpower complementarities for joint research, commercialisation, and value creation in both countries."

"Promoting Japanese language education in India, as well as bi-directional cultural, educational and grass-roots exchanges as an investment for the future," MEA added.

Earlier in the day, while addressing a joint press briefing after bilateral talks with his Japanese counterpart Shigeru Ishiba, PM Modi said, "Under the action plan of human resource exchange, in the next 5 years, exchange of 5 lakh people in different sectors will be conducted..."

Prime Minister Modi is on a two-day official visit to Japan, scheduled from August 29 to 30, where he attended the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit. Following his visit to Japan, the Prime Minister will head to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in Tianjin.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Hope the government ensures proper training and language support for those going to Japan. Cultural adaptation can be challenging but this is a great opportunity for our youth.
A
Aman W
Finally some concrete action on skill development and international opportunities. This will boost our technical workforce and bring valuable experience back to India.
S
Sarah B
While this sounds promising, I hope there are proper safeguards for Indian workers' rights and fair wages. Sometimes these agreements look better on paper than in practice.
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Vikram M
Japan's work culture is very demanding. Our people going there should be mentally prepared for long working hours and high expectations. But the learning experience will be invaluable!
N
Nikhil C
Great initiative! This will help reduce brain drain to Western countries and create stronger Asia-focused career paths. Plus, Japan is much closer to home for family visits.
K
Kavya N
I hope this includes opportunities for women professionals too. Japan has been trying to improve gender diversity in workforce - perfect timing for Indian women to showcase their skills!

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