Migration experts have urged Bangladesh to enhance cooperation with Japan in areas such as language training, skills development, and institutional partnerships to better tap into Japan’s growing overseas employment market. This call comes ahead of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s four-day official visit to Japan beginning October 26, following a recent bilateral agreement enabling official channels for Bangladeshi workers to seek employment in Japan starting April 2027.
Japan, facing demographic challenges from an aging population, is looking to recruit foreign workers aged 18 to 35 in sectors including caregiving, nursing, hospitality management, tourism, and information technology. As one of Bangladesh’s key development partners and major Asian export destinations, Japan has indicated a willingness to prioritize Bangladeshi migrant workers.
Despite the prospects, experts highlight several obstacles that need addressing for the program’s success. Chief among these is the language barrier, as Korean requires proficiency for job seekers to be competitive in Japan’s labor market. Cultural differences also pose challenges to integration and smooth workplace adaptation. Observers note a scarcity of formal training programs focused on Japanese language and vocational skills tailored for prospective migrants; currently, only a limited number of institutions in Bangladesh offer such courses. For example, Dhaka University provides a six-month program accommodating roughly 25 students.
Shakirul Islam, a migrant rights activist and founding chairperson of Ovibashi Karmi Unnayan Program (OKUP), pointed to the gap between governmental declarations and practical implementation. He cautioned that political rhetoric about large-scale labor migration often lacks the necessary groundwork in training and infrastructure to prepare aspirants adequately. Islam emphasized that aspiring migrants must meet strict criteria, including age limits of 18 to 35 years and adequate language and cultural competencies, underscoring the need for structured preparation.
Experts also stress the importance of formalizing institutional agreements between Bangladeshi and Japanese educational and governmental bodies to support training and certification processes. Such collaboration could help bridge regulatory gaps and establish standardized procedures for certification and quality control.
As Bangladesh and Japan move toward operationalizing their labor agreement, stakeholders hope that the forthcoming high-level discussions during the Prime Minister’s visit will address these concerns and facilitate more effective cooperation. Strengthening capacity in language proficiency and cultural understanding is seen as essential to maximize employment opportunities and ensure sustainable outcomes for migrant workers on both sides.