Government of Meghalaya has partnered with Japan to train and place skilled care workers from the state in Japanese institutions.
This initiative responds to Japan’s urgent need for caregiving professionals, driven by its aging population and declining birthrate.
Estimates suggest that Japan will require at least 250,000 care workers by 2026.
The Meghalaya State Skill Development Society (MSSDS) and Japan’s Asean One Co. Ltd. signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalize the collaboration.
The agreement outlines a plan to train and place 5,000 youth from Meghalaya over the next five years in caregiving, healthcare, hospitality, and IT sectors.
Shigoto Seminar Introduces Meghalaya Youth to Japanese Work Culture
To build awareness and prepare candidates, MSSDS hosted the Shigoto seminar in Shillong in collaboration with the Japan International Corporation of Welfare Services (JICWELS).
The event served as a platform for young aspirants to understand Japan’s work culture, employment expectations, and the concept of “Kaigo”—a specialized form of elderly care in Japan.
Jagdish Chelani, Executive Director of MSSDS, encouraged participants to engage deeply with Japanese delegates and learn not just about job roles but also cultural norms.
“The work culture there has made Japan what it is today,” he said, urging youth to remain inquisitive and open to new experiences.
Training Components: Language, Culture, and Sector Skills
The program includes comprehensive training in Japanese language, cultural integration, and sector-specific skills.
The government has invited nursing colleges across Meghalaya to participate, focusing on preparing students for caregiving roles abroad.
The initiative also covers other sectors such as construction, manufacturing, and hospitality, where Japan is conducting skill certification exams in India.
Krishnan Narayanan is the CEO of NIHON Edutech Pvt. Ltd. He highlighted that many individuals from India’s Northeast have already secured placements in Japan.
“They benefit not just from employment but also from cultural exposure,” he said, adding that caregiving is now recognized as a high-skilled profession in Japan.
Political and Diplomatic Support for Workforce Mobility
The MoU builds on Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma’s official visit to Japan in April 2025, where he initiated discussions on global career pathways for Meghalaya’s youth.
During the signing ceremony at the Indian Embassy in Tokyo, Meghalaya’s Labour Minister Shakliar Warjri spoke about the significance of the agreement.
He described it as a gateway to international careers and stronger economic ties between India and Japan.
Asean One’s Chairman and CEO, Toshiaki Nishikawa, recently met Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He emphasized that the initiative aligns with India’s vision of becoming a “Global Skill Mecca.”
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