India and Japan have announced an ambitious Action Plan for Human Resource Exchange and Cooperation, aiming to enable the two-way movement of over 500,000 skilled and semi-skilled Indian workers in Japan’s workforce.
The plan was unveiled during the 2025 India-Japan Annual Summit on Friday, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart emphasized the role of increased people-to-people interactions in deepening bilateral ties.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri noted that the agreement reflects a “natural complementarity” between the two economies.
“Japan has a dynamic economy, but faces labour shortages in certain sectors. India has a large pool of skilled and semi-skilled personnel who can fill that need,” Misri said at a press briefing. He added that the agreement would not only address workforce shortages but also foster opportunities for joint research, commercialization, and value creation in both nations.
The plan is not just about jobs. It also includes cultural, educational, and community exchanges, such as promoting Japanese language learning in India. The MEA called these steps an “investment for the future,” aimed at helping people in both countries understand each other better.
Both governments have also promised to boost awareness and support for people moving between the two countries. Plans include job fairs, career guidance, orientation programs upon arrival, and grievance support through Indian Missions in Japan.
The Action Plan will be jointly overseen by India’s Ministry of External Affairs and Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with annual meetings at the Joint Secretary and Director General levels. Existing dialogues on education, science and technology, digital economy, and skills will also be used to ensure smooth implementation.
