The Nagaland government, through the Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN), hosted the Nagaland Japan Connect 2026 on Wednesday at the Integrated Business Hub & Innovation Centre (IBHIC) in Dimapur, with a focus on creating job opportunities for Naga youth in Japan. Deputy Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang, addressing the event as a special guest, referred to Nagaland Japan Connect as a vital economic initiative. He emphasized that the partnership is grounded in mutual trust and a shared vision, reflecting a longstanding relationship between Nagaland and Japan that began in 2014.
In his opening remarks, IDAN chairman Abu Metha explained that this initiative, developed nearly a year ago, is a culmination of collaborative efforts by various state government departments under Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio’s leadership. Kunitoshi Hojo, Deputy Director General of the Kochi Prefectural Department of Commerce and Labour, highlighted Japan’s pressing shortage of human resources due to an aging population, particularly in the labor market. He noted an increasing demand for Naga youth, especially in Kochi Prefecture, with the number of workers from Nagaland rising from zero in 2024 to 19 currently.
Hojo also indicated that more students from Nagaland would soon be recruited through this program to work in Kochi Prefecture. Eight companies from Kochi took part in the event, reinforcing their commitment to strengthening ties with Nagaland. Several Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) were signed to formalize collaboration in vocational training, internships, international placements, and investment facilitation.
Konnekt Asia was appointed as Nagaland’s official representative in Japan in partnership with IDAN, tasked with promoting investment, technical cooperation, educational exchanges, and sectoral partnerships. Additionally, NYK and IDAN signed an MoU aimed at establishing a vocational training ecosystem in Nagaland, merging foreign language skills with industry-oriented technical education.
In the agricultural sector, the School of Agricultural Sciences signed separate MoUs with Corporation Kumagai Co. Ltd. and Hagumi Farm Co. Ltd., to provide one-year internships that will give students practical experience in advanced Japanese farming methods. A technical session was conducted to prepare participants for overseas employment, focusing on aspects such as Japanese work culture, workplace ethics, discipline, and employer expectations. This session laid out a comprehensive roadmap addressing language proficiency, skill standards, recruitment procedures, and long-term career paths.
The event attracted over 450 student registrations and included direct job interviews and interactions with Japanese employers from various sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, electronics, hospitality, and heavy machinery.
Original Source: https://nenow.in/north-east-news/nagaland/nagaland-japan-connect-opens-overseas-job-opportunities-for-naga-youth.html
Category: Nagaland,Northeast News,Top News
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Publish Date: 2026-01-28 23:00:00
