Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Friday, 23 October 2026, met representatives of Zenken Corporation and six Japanese social welfare corporations at the Chief Minister's Secretariat in Imphal to explore employment opportunities in Japan for the state's youth. The meeting marks a concrete step in Manipur's growing labour-export linkage with Japanese employers, with 12 new candidates already selected for placement during an ongoing recruitment drive.

What the Recruitment Drive Involves

The Japanese delegation, accompanied by Zenken Corporation representatives, has been conducting a recruitment drive at the NSDC International Academy, Manipur University, Imphal. The initiative is jointly facilitated by NSDC International in collaboration with Manipur University, with support from the Department of Skills, Labour, Employment and Entrepreneurship (SLEE) of the Government of Manipur.

The six participating Japanese social welfare corporations are Social Welfare Corporation Fukushi Gakudan, Social Welfare Corporation Gasshoen, Social Welfare Corporation Goshiki, Social Welfare Corporation Life no Gakkou, Social Welfare Corporation Mineyama, and Social Welfare Corporation Kuneikai. These organisations are engaged primarily in the social welfare and care sector in Japan.

Key Outcomes and Numbers

From the current recruitment drive, 12 candidates from Manipur have been selected for placement in Japan. This adds to a growing cohort — more than 230 youths from Manipur are already working in Japan across various sectors, according to state government data, reflecting steady demand for skilled workers from the state in the Japanese labour market.

Chief Minister Singh also announced that the state government would soon organise dedicated training programmes for truck and taxi drivers seeking employment in Japan, broadening the occupational scope of the overseas placement initiative beyond social welfare roles.

What the Government Said

Singh underscored the administration's commitment to facilitating overseas employment for eligible youth, stating that the state government would extend all possible support for access to overseas job placements and relevant skill development. The meeting was attended by N. Bandana Devi, Secretary of the Department of Skills, Labour, Employment and Entrepreneurship.

The Japanese delegation included IIDA Daisuke, President of Social Welfare Corporation Fukushi Gakudan; Kamio Masashi, Managing Director of Social Welfare Corporation Gasshoen; Iwaya Katsuyoshi, Facility Head of Social Welfare Corporation Goshiki; Okamoto Yusuke, Facility Head of Social Welfare Corporation Life no Gakkou; and Shimizu Mami, Management Staff of Social Welfare Corporation Mineyama. Zenken Corporation was represented by Nakagawa Yukari, Manager, and Heidy Nerissa Putri, Supervisor.

Broader Context and What Comes Next

This initiative sits within a wider national trend of Indian states formalising labour migration corridors with Japan, which faces a structural shortage of care-sector and semi-skilled workers due to its ageing population. Manipur's effort is notable given the state's ongoing socio-political challenges, as it signals an attempt to create economic pathways for youth through skill-linked overseas employment. Training programmes flagged by the Chief Minister are expected to be rolled out in the near term, and further recruitment drives through the NSDC International platform are anticipated as the partnership deepens.