Tokyo, August 29, 2025 — In a significant step toward deepening human ties, India and Japan signed a landmark human resource cooperation pact during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Tokyo. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that Japan will take in 50,000 skilled and semi-skilled workers from India over the next five years, as part of a broader plan to exchange 500,000 individuals between the two countries.
Key Highlights of the HR Action Plan
- 500,000 People Exchanges: Out of this total, India will send 50,000 skilled and semi-skilled workers to Japan under a structured program.
- Addressing Labor Shortage: Japan’s dynamic economy faces critical labor shortages in sectors like healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, and services. India’s workforce will fill these gaps.
- Building Trust & Innovation: The plan facilitates cooperation in education, technology, research, and cultural ties, allowing both nations to co-create value.
- Human Capital Development: Several initiatives aim to promote Japanese language education in India and streamline recruitment through programs like the Technical Intern Training Program (TITP).
India’s Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, called this a “natural complementarity” between the two nations—Japan’s need for manpower and India’s potential supply.
Strategic & Economic Significance
This people-to-people exchange complements the growing economic and technological partnership between both nations:
- It aligns with Japan’s broader engagement strategy amid rising global challenges, including U.S. tariffs and changing regional dynamics.
- It supports Japan’s economic security goals, enabling access to a skilled workforce that enhances supply chain resilience and innovation.
- For India, such contacts open pathways to global employment and professional exposure for its citizens.
In tandem with this HR pact, the leaders also unveiled plans to attract 10 trillion yen (approx. $68 billion) in private Japanese investments into India over ten years, spanning sectors like clean technology, AI, semiconductors, and defense.
Implementation & Pathways
- Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) Framework: India and Japan approved a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) to streamline recruitment in 14 sectors such as construction, healthcare, electronics, shipbuilding, and agriculture.
- Joint Working Group: Established to oversee implementation, skill certification, language training, and recruitment mechanisms.
- Training & Pre-departure Support: Programs like the Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) and local language training ensure readiness of Indian workers.
Why It Matters
| Perspective | Benefit |
|---|---|
| For Japan | Fills critical workforce gaps and sustains economic growth. |
| For India | Offers employment, skill development, and cultural exchange opportunities. |
| Global Diplomacy | Extends India-Japan ties beyond trade into social and human dimensions. |