Manipur CM flags off 16 youths for Japan jobs under SLEE scheme
Synopsis
Sixteen young Manipuris are headed to Tokyo, Hokkaido, and Okinawa for healthcare and hospitality jobs — the first cohort under the SLEE scheme backed by a fresh SBI partnership. At the same event, CM Khemchand Singh announced the resumption of public transport on NH-2, signalling a dual push: economic mobility for youth and physical mobility for citizens amid the state's ongoing recovery.
Key Takeaways
Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh flagged off 16 candidates for jobs in Japan on 21 August under the SLEE initiative.
Candidates will work in healthcare and hospitality across Tokyo , Hokkaido , and Okinawa .
All 16 completed Japanese language training at the NSDC International Academy .
An MoU was signed between SBI and SLEE to provide financial support to outbound candidates.
Public transport on the Imphal–Dimapur–Guwahati (NH-2) route resumed on the same day.
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Friday, 21 August flagged off 16 candidates from the state who will undertake overseas skill training and take up employment across Japan under the State Livelihood Empowerment and Entrepreneurship (SLEE) initiative. The flag-off ceremony was held at the Chief Minister's Bungalow in Imphal.
Where the Candidates Are Headed
The selected youths have secured positions in the healthcare and hospitality sectors across multiple Japanese cities, including Tokyo, Hokkaido, and Okinawa. All 16 candidates completed Japanese language training through the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) International Academy before being placed.
Among those departing is Dhanapriya Tensubam, who has secured a position at the Miyakojima Tokyu Hotel and Resort in Okinawa. She expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for the initiative and pledged to 'work with professionalism and sincerity' while remaining proud of her Manipuri identity.
CM's Message: Roots Over Borders
Addressing the candidates, Khemchand Singh presented each of them with a replica of the Pena — an indigenous musical instrument of Manipur — as a symbolic reminder of their heritage. He urged them never to forget their roots while living and working abroad.
Citing the example of Singapore, a small nation with one of the highest per capita incomes in Southeast Asia, the Chief Minister noted that its citizens remain fiercely proud of their national identity. He observed that while Manipuris historically carried the same pride, many now hesitate to identify themselves as such — a mindset he said must change.
SBI-SLEE Partnership for Financial Support
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the State Bank of India (SBI) and SLEE — a Manipur government undertaking — to extend financial support to the outbound candidates. Khemchand Singh commended both SLEE and SBI officials for their role in enabling skill training and facilitating employment abroad.
NH-2 Transport Resumption: A Step Toward Normalcy
In a separate but significant announcement at the same event, the Chief Minister confirmed that public transport services on the Imphal–Dimapur (Nagaland)–Guwahati route along National Highway-2 (NH-2) resumed from Friday. He described the resumption as an important step toward restoring normalcy and free movement in the state, and urged residents to use government transport services without fear.
He also flagged the high cost of air travel between Imphal and Guwahati, calling it 'a kind of punishment' for the people of Manipur.
The programme was attended by MLA Kh. Joykisan Singh; Manipur University Vice-Chancellor Prof. R.K. Hemakumar Singh; Secretary (Skill, Labour, Employment and Entrepreneurship) N. Bandana Devi; Deputy General Manager, SBI Zonal Office (Shillong), Ejaz Ahmed; and NSDC State Engagement Officer Masotmi Zimik, among others. With this cohort departing, the next phase of SLEE's overseas placement drive will be closely watched as a model for Northeast India's youth employment agenda.
Point of View
Not aspiration. What remains untested is whether this model scales beyond 16 candidates, and whether returnees — with Japanese work experience and language skills — find structured reintegration pathways back home, or simply become part of a longer-term diaspora.
NationPress
21 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SLEE initiative in Manipur?
The State Livelihood Empowerment and Entrepreneurship (SLEE) initiative is a Manipur government undertaking aimed at providing skill training and overseas employment opportunities to eligible youth from the state. Under its latest cohort, 16 candidates have been placed in healthcare and hospitality jobs across Japan.
Where in Japan will the Manipur candidates work?
The 16 candidates will be employed in various parts of Japan, including Tokyo, Hokkaido, and Okinawa, in the healthcare and hospitality sectors. One candidate, Dhanapriya Tensubam, has secured a position at the Miyakojima Tokyu Hotel and Resort in Okinawa.
What financial support is available to the candidates?
An MoU was signed between the State Bank of India (SBI) and SLEE on 21 August to provide financial support to the outbound candidates. The partnership is intended to ease the financial burden of overseas placement for eligible Manipuri youth.
What training did the candidates undergo before departing?
All 16 candidates completed Japanese language training at the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) International Academy before securing their jobs. This language preparation was a prerequisite for placement in Japan's healthcare and hospitality sectors.
What did CM Khemchand Singh announce about NH-2 transport?
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh announced that public transport services on the Imphal–Dimapur (Nagaland)–Guwahati route along National Highway-2 resumed from Friday, 21 August. He described it as a key step toward restoring normalcy and free movement in the state.
