A 23-member delegation from Japan’s National Business Support Combined Cooperatives (NBCC) met with Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna on Sunday afternoon to discuss the progress of the initiative.
Expatriate Welfare and Employment Advisor Dr. Asif Nazrul and Principal Advisor and SDG Coordinator Lamia Morshed were also present at the meeting. NBCC, a federation of over 65 Japanese companies, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bangladesh to create a structured framework for training, certification, and employment of Bangladeshi workers in Japan.
Under the agreement, 2,000 skilled workers are expected to be recruited in the first phase next year, primarily in the construction, service, aviation, garments, and agriculture sectors. The delegation noted that future demand will rise in the driving, automobile, and recycling industries as well.
To support this initiative, training centers have been established in Khulna and Kapasia (Gazipur) to prepare Bangladeshi workers for overseas employment. Members of the NBCC delegation have already visited these centers to assess training standards.
NBCC Chairman Mikio Kesagayama, who led the delegation, said, “When I visited the two training centers last March, they were in the early stages. I’m pleasantly surprised by the remarkable progress made in just seven months. We are very satisfied with the training and expect to employ 2,000 skilled workers next year.”
However, he added that improving the language proficiency of trainers could enhance the program further.
In response, Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus acknowledged that language barriers pose a major challenge. “Virtual classes can be introduced for language training, where Japanese teachers can conduct sessions online. Alternatively, Japanese trainers could be brought here to train local instructors,” he suggested.
Professor Yunus also highlighted the potential of Bangladeshi women in Japan’s caregiving sector. “Bangladeshi women are naturally caring and hardworking. With proper training and language skills, they can play a vital role in Japan’s caregiving industry. Once they start working there, others will be motivated to follow,” he said.
The NBCC representatives informed that Japan will require over 400,000 skilled nurses in the coming years and that they are considering recruiting a portion of them from Bangladesh.
Advisor Dr. Asif Nazrul said the government is closely monitoring the progress of worker recruitment for Japan and will develop a specific roadmap to streamline the process. He added that a dedicated cell has already been formed within the ministry to resolve issues related to overseas employment in Japan.
