Japan has opened massive employment opportunities for Bangladeshi workers under Specified Skilled Worker visa programme, offering monthly salaries exceeding Tk 2 lakh amid severe labour shortage driven by demographic crisis.
Workers can earn between JPY 2-3 lakh monthly, equivalent to approximately Tk 2 lakh to Tk 2.8 lakh in Bangladeshi currency. Additional overtime, bonuses and benefits can increase earnings further.
SSW visa covers 16 sectors including industrial manufacturing, construction, caregiving, agriculture and food processing. Japanese labour law guarantees foreign workers equal pay and benefits as local employees.
Skill takes priority over academic qualifications for this visa. Candidates must pass Japanese Language Proficiency Test at minimum N4 level or JFT-Basic examination alongside sector-specific skills evaluation test.
Prof. Dr Mohammad Jahangir Alam, chairman of Japanese Studies Department at Dhaka University (DU), stressed need for structured 'labour diplomacy' rather than rushed actions.
He recommended strengthening Bangladesh Embassy's labour wing in Tokyo for regular negotiations with Japanese employers to simplify recruitment process.
Prof Alam advised following Nepal's model by making native Japanese teachers mandatory at all training centres so workers learn not just language but Japanese work culture and professional conduct.
Japanese employers hire based on trust and quality, not just technical skills, he noted. He criticised existing Technical Training Centres (TTC) as outdated, recommending installation of modern equipment including CNC machines and robotic arms.
He also called for 'Train the Trainer' programmes involving Japanese experts visiting Bangladesh directly.
Prof. Alam warned against dishonest agents and brokers, urging government to spread accurate information through official platforms.
Government targets sending 50 thousand skilled workers to Japan by 2030.
Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and BMET confirmed expansion of training centres with emphasis on native Japanese language instruction.
Experts advise using only approved recruiting agencies and avoiding middlemen to successfully establish careers in Japan's vast labour market.
