Tokyo: Bangladesh and Japan today engaged in discussions aimed at expanding cooperation in the domains of skilled migration and healthcare, with both nations reaffirming their commitment to enhancing workforce mobility and investment partnerships within an evolving bilateral framework. The discussions took place during a meeting between Dr. Neyamat Ullah Bhuiyan, Senior Secretary of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry of Bangladesh, and Akiyama Shinichi, Senior Assistant Minister for International Affairs of Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, in Tokyo.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Japan, Md. Daud Ali, was also present during the meeting. Dr. Bhuiyan emphasized the longstanding relationship between Bangladesh and Japan, built upon shared principles of democracy, development, and the rule of law. He highlighted Bangladesh’s extensive experience as a leading manpower-exporting nation and its expanding role in Japan’s construction, caregiving, manufacturing, and IT sectors.
Dr. Bhuiyan referenced recent developments, including the signing of two Memoranda of Understanding during the visit of Hon’ble Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus to Japan in May 2025. These agreements aim to recruit 100,000 Bangladeshi workers over the next five years. He also discussed the establishment of a dedicated Japan Cell to facilitate Japanese language and skills training across government and private institutions.
Expressing gratitude to Japan for initiating Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) field tests in Bangladesh, Dr. Bhuiyan urged consideration of additional sectors such as food processing, industrial manufacturing, automobile maintenance, aviation, and shipbuilding. He proposed further collaboration in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors, encouraging Japanese investment and cooperation in medical technology and the import of high-quality Bangladeshi pharmaceutical products.
Senior Assistant Minister Akiyama welcomed these initiatives, acknowledging Japan’s increasing need for foreign workers due to its aging population. He assured continued cooperation and encouraged coordination through Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo. Later in the day, Dr. Bhuiyan attended a Seminar on Human Resources organized by IM Japan, a major manpower-receiving organization in Japan, where approximately 200 Japanese companies participated.