Japan has long been recognized for its technological advancements, rich culture, and disciplined workforce. But very few know that Japan is facing a significant labor shortage due to its aging population In response to its labor needs, Japan had turned to the international community for skilled labor and created a new “Status of Residence” for specific skilled workers, which became effective on April 1, 2019. This policy initially aimed to attract 340,000 skilled workers in the first phase. The Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan, Mr. Kuninori Matsuda said that the Japanese government has set an ambitious target to attract up to 500,000 blue-collar workers from around the world by 2025 with further plans to increase this number by 2030. This initiative underscores Japan’s commitment to addressing its labor shortage while providing substantial employment opportunities for foreign workers, including Pakistanis. There are many job opportunities for Pakistanis in Japan.

Memorandum of Cooperation: A Gateway For Pakistani to Employment In Japan

2019 marked a milestone in the history of Japan- Pakistan collaboration when both countries signed a memorandum of cooperation, aimed at facilitating the employment of Pakistani skilled workers in Japan. This agreement centers around the “Specified Skilled Workers” program, designed to provide skilled workers with employment opportunities in Japan. Under this framework, Pakistani workers can secure jobs in Japan after passing the required examinations, marking a significant milestone in bilateral relations and international labor cooperation. However, due to the Covid-19 outbreak, the process was delayed. Later on, the requirement for skilled labor surged and now the government institutions as well as private overseas promoters are also authorized to send Pakistani workers to Japan and Iqbal Manpower Consultants is now also an authorized recruiting agency for Japan in Pakistan.  

Specified Fields for Employment

Japan’s specified skilled workers program covers 12 fields:

1. Nursing care
2. Building cleaning management
3. Electric, electronics, and information industries
4. Construction industry
5. Shipbuilding/ship machinery industry
6. Automobile maintenance
7. Aviation industry
8. Accommodation industry
9. Agriculture
10. Fishery & Aquaculture
11. Manufacture of food and beverages
12. Foodservice industry

Pakistani Community in Japan

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations on April 28, 1952, the ties between Pakistan and Japan have steadily grown stronger. Pakistan was among the first countries to open a commercial office in Japan, soon after the San Francisco Peace Conference, and Japan reciprocated by opening an early trade office in Karachi. The Pakistani community in Japan is the third-largest Muslim-majority immigrant group, following the Indonesian and Bangladeshi communities. As of December 2023, there are 25,334 registered Pakistanis living in Japan.

“In his address to a ceremony, Japanese Ambassador Kuninori Matsuda praised the Pakistani workforce in Japan, highlighting their dedication, honesty, and skills, which contribute significantly to Japan’s development. “

The growing opportunities in Japanese markets for Pakistanis are projected by the number of Pakistanis arriving in Japan for employment, and business has reached an all-time high as of December 2023, with over 5,000 new registrations in the past 10 months. In this regard, the role of the Pakistan Embassy in Japan is very appreciable. Recently a Japanese company, BorderLink, has hired 32 Assistant Language Teachers from Pakistan in collaboration with the Embassy of Pakistan in Tokyo. This reflects the increasing demand for Pakistani workers in various sectors and highlights the job opportunities for Pakistanis in Japan.

Conclusion

The cooperation between Japan and Pakistan under the “Specified Skilled Workers” program marks a significant step forward in international labor relations. With Japan’s inclusive policies and the growing demand for skilled labor, Pakistani workers have a tremendous opportunity to contribute to and benefit from Japan’s dynamic economy. This initiative not only strengthens bilateral ties but also opens a promising future for skilled Pakistanis seeking to explore new horizons.