Migration to Japan jumps nearly threefold amid push for lucrative labour market

Bangladesh's labour migration to Japan has surged nearly threefold this year, driven by the government's push to secure a stronger foothold in one of the world's most competitive foreign labour markets.

About 10,000 Bangladeshis have travelled to Japan so far this year on job visas or as language-course students who become eligible for work within a year, according to a letter the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment sent to the Finance Division on 20 November.

Infographics: TBS

The number stood at 3,574 in 2024, while over 5,000 travelled in each of the two preceding years. The ministry said recruitment is likely to rise further next year, with potential for exponential growth.

The letter was circulated across several ministries seeking urgent administrative support to manage the demand, following Senior Secretary Neyamat Ullah Bhuiyan's return from a recent visit to Japan. His trip resulted in the signing of 40 new agreements with Japanese employers to hire Bangladeshi workers.

The momentum follows Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus' visit to Tokyo in May. Two major MoUs were signed during the chief adviser's visit to formalise labour migration between the two countries, setting a target of sending 100,000 workers over the next five years.

Meanwhile, more than 13,000 Bangladeshis are scheduled to sit the Japanese language proficiency test this December, and the ministry plans to double the number of examinees by mid-2026. 

Enrolment in language courses has risen sharply, reflecting growing interest among prospective migrants and an increasing level of preparedness, the letter notes.

It said Japan is closely monitoring Bangladesh's readiness, and a convincing show of preparation could lead to a rapid expansion in recruitment across several job categories from next year.

"The MoUs expand the recruitment pipeline even though they do not specify worker numbers," said Md Shahidul Islam Chowdhury, head of the Japan Cell at the Expatriates' Welfare Ministry. 

He told The Business Standard that many travelling as students are effectively jobseekers who start work after completing a one-year language course, which is why they are counted as job placements.

BMET seeks Jica support

The Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) has submitted a Tk1,500 crore project proposal seeking Jica's support to build a dedicated skilled workforce for Japan. 

A senior BMET official told The Business Standard that the Economic Relations Division has begun discussions with Jica, and the proposal is under review.

Japan cell at ministry, manpower at mission

To support the expanding labour pipeline, the government has established a dedicated Japan Cell at the ministry while strengthening staffing at the Labour Wing of the Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo. 

The letter said the initiative is being overseen by the Chief Adviser's Office through his Special Envoy for International Affairs, Lutfey Siddiqi, who has been tasked with driving market expansion in Japan.

Despite the recent momentum, a shortage of skilled workers remains the central barrier to accessing the Japanese market. Ministry officials said they are working to expand the pool of trained manpower, but migration experts argue the response must be faster and more effective.

Language skills hold back Bangladeshis

Sector insiders said a shortage of skilled workers is the main reason Bangladesh continues to trail its competitors. Nepal sent 56,707 workers to Japan last year, while Bangladesh managed just 3,574, roughly sixteen times fewer. The gap has held steady, with Nepal sending more than 42,000 and 36,000 workers in 2022 and 2023, while Bangladesh sent just over 5,000 in each year.

As of 6 December, BMET issued 1,406 clearance cards for Bangladeshi workers heading to Japan, covering sectors such as agriculture (97), engineering (86), scaffolding (54), caregiving (52), metal painting (41), skilled work (40), sewing (37), and casual labour (34).

"Under the Specified Skilled Workers (SSW) programme, demand is highest for caregivers and construction workers, both requiring an N4-level Japanese language certificate," said Nurul Islam, former BMET training director and now an ILO consultant. 

He added that Nepal is ahead in language training because N4 preparation requires native trainers, and Bangladesh does not have enough. "Some Bangladeshi caregivers struggled due to weak language skills and later had to switch jobs," he said.

Japanese language proficiency has five levels, with N5 being the easiest and N1 the most advanced. Most Japanese skilled-worker jobs require N4 or higher, according to the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT).

Meanwhile, at a seminar in June, Expatriate Adviser Asif Nazrul said the government is encouraging Japanese companies to run Bangladesh's Technical Training Centres. For example, Monohardi TTC has been handed over to a Japanese partner for development based on their needs. 

He added that migration costs for Japan and Saudi Arabia are almost the same, around Tk6-7 lakh, yet many Bangladeshi workers still choose the Middle East, where no specialised skills are required, despite Japan offering higher wages.

However, the ministry's fixed migration cost for Japan-bound workers remains Tk1.48 lakh. A ministry official said "The rate needs revision because it no longer reflects current expenses and should be raised to Tk3 lakh."

Pathways to Japan

Bangladeshis can currently migrate to Japan through four pathways: Specified Skilled Workers (SSW), Technical Intern Training Programme (TITP), white-collar jobs such as engineering, and student visas.

The SSW programme covers 16 job categories, including nursing care, industrial manufacturing, automobile repair, driving, shipbuilding, and agriculture.

Senior Secretary Neyamat Ullah Bhuiyan has proposed expanding the list to include food and beverage manufacturing, the food service industry, and forestry. 

The ministry estimates Japan will need 135,000 nursing care workers, 173,000 industrial manufacturing workers, 24,500 drivers, 78,000 agricultural workers, and 36,000 shipbuilders over the next five years.

About 96 BMET-approved agencies are authorised to send workers to Japan. 

A Sadiatech official, a leading Japan-market agency, told TBS, "We have received strong support from both the government and Japan since the chief adviser's visit, and the market is gradually flourishing for our workers."