The Bangladesh government has launched an intensive initiative to export a significant volume of skilled manpower to Japan under the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) category to address Japan’s growing labor shortage.
With the Japanese government aiming to recruit 820,000 foreign workers across 16 sectors by March 2029, experts and officials believe Bangladesh could potentially supply over 300,000 workers—approximately 40 percent of the total demand—if preparation remains effective.
While Bangladesh previously sent workers in only six categories, the government is now actively developing human resources for all 16 designated sectors.
Professor Dr. Md. Jahangir Alam, Chairman of the Japanese Studies Department at Dhaka University, highlighted Japan as a prime destination for Bangladeshi migrants, noting that success in this market would significantly boost foreign currency earnings.
He emphasized that mastering the Japanese language and gaining familiarity with advanced technologies are essential for building the trust required to expand future opportunities.
Projections suggest Japan may need up to 11 million foreign workers by 2040, a demand that Bangladesh aims to meet by providing up to 60 percent of the required workforce through long-term strategic planning.
To achieve these targets, the government has adopted a comprehensive roadmap that includes upgrading Technical Training Centers (TTCs) to Japanese standards and expanding language training to 53 TTCs nationwide.
Additionally, over 200 private institutes and 95 approved recruiting agencies are currently operating to facilitate the process.
Institutional measures, such as the establishment of a dedicated "Japan Cell" within the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment and the appointment of high-level advisers, have been implemented to ensure Bangladesh remains competitive against other labor-exporting nations like Vietnam and Indonesia.
The government is also prioritizing student migration, setting an ambitious target of 10,000 student visas for 2026, up from 4,000 in the previous year.
To support this, Probashi Kallyan Bank is offering easy-term loans of up to BDT 1 million per student.
Deputy Secretary Md. Hedayetul Islam Mondol stated that pragmatic steps, including streamlined banking payments and revised recruitment guidelines, have already positioned Japan as a major employment hub.
By ensuring rigorous training in both technical skills and linguistics, Bangladesh aims to secure a high social and financial status for its citizens in the Japanese labor market.
