India and Japan have launched a bilateral Action Plan for Human Resource Exchange targeting the movement of over 500,000 people in both directions over five years, including 50,000 skilled Indian workers heading to Japan. The plan was first agreed at the India-Japan Annual Summit in August 2025 and reaffirmed at the 16th Annual Summit in July 2026, when Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi visited New Delhi. It spans six distinct visa and exchange pathways — from the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa to the MIRAI-Setu internship program — each targeting different skill levels and professional backgrounds.
Last verified: 2026-07-31
- 500,000 total exchanges, 50,000 skilled workers from India to Japan (target over 5 years)
- 6 main pathways: SSW, TITP, MIRAI-Setu, Sakura Science, MEXT/JET, India-Japan Talent Bridge
- Japan needs workers in IT, semiconductors, AI, manufacturing, healthcare, construction
- Language training (JLPT N4 or JFT-Basic) is the critical bottleneck for most routes
- Volatile facts: visa categories, sector lists, and program details may change — verify before applying
Why Is Japan Opening Its Workforce to Indian Workers?
Japan's population fell from a peak of 128.1 million in 2008 to 123.05 million in the 2025 census — the steepest decline since records began, according to preliminary data from Japan's Statistics Bureau. By 2040, the UN projects 35.3% of Japan's population will be aged 65 or older, shrinking the working-age base and creating persistent labor shortages across manufacturing, construction, healthcare, hospitality, IT, and semiconductors. The country's median age has already crossed 50.
India, by contrast, has a median age of approximately 29 and one of the world's largest pools of engineering and technical graduates. As India's electronics manufacturing sector scales up to replace China and companies like L&T invest ₹5,000 crore in domestic EV electronics, the demand for a globally competent technical workforce has become a national priority. The Action Plan explicitly frames this as a demographic complementarity: Japan needs workers, India needs global career pathways for its skilled workforce. The bilateral document calls it "tapping economically beneficial complementarities for both Japan, facing a manpower shortage including IT personnel, and India, aiming to boost skill development and strengthen its manufacturing sector."
What Is the India-Japan Action Plan for Human Resource Exchange?
The Action Plan is the formal bilateral agreement between India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) that operationalizes the "Next-Gen People-to-People Partnership." It was endorsed at the India-Japan Annual Summit in August 2025 and sets an aspirational target — not a quota — of exchanging more than 500,000 personnel in both directions over five years, including 50,000 skilled personnel from India to Japan.
The plan is structured around six categories of mobility:
| Category | Target | Key Programs |
|---|---|---|
| High-skilled personnel | Engineers, AI/semiconductor talent | Company missions to Indian universities, JET Programme |
| Students & researchers | University students, scientists | MEXT scholarships, Sakura Science, MIRAI-Setu, LOTUS |
| Specified Skilled Workers (SSW) | Semi-skilled workers | SSW visa (16 sectors), skill/language tests |
| Technical Intern Training (TITP) | Vocational trainees | TITP (being replaced by 2027) |
| Skill development | India-based training | INPACT, Japan-India Institutes of Manufacturing |
| Language capability | Japanese language education | JLPT/JFT-Basic test centers, NIHONGO Partners |
Implementation is overseen by MOFA Japan and MEA India through annual Joint Secretary/Director General-level consultations. A dedicated website is being developed to consolidate all mobility information across sectors.
How Does the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) Visa Work for Indians?
The Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa, introduced in April 2019, is the primary route for semi-skilled and skilled Indian workers to enter Japan's labor market. It allows foreign nationals who pass a skills test and Japanese language exam to work in designated sectors without requiring prior on-the-job training.
SSW Type 1 vs Type 2
| Feature | SSW Type 1 | SSW Type 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum stay | 5 years cumulative | No limit (renewable) |
| Family members | Not permitted | Permitted |
| Language requirement | JFT-Basic or JLPT N4 | Higher proficiency |
| Pathway to PR | No direct path | Can lead to permanent residence |
| Sectors | 16 designated fields (as of 2026) | Expanding (limited fields) |
The 16 Designated Sectors (as of 2026)
The original 14 sectors were expanded with the addition of road transportation and railway:
- Nursing care
- Building cleaning
- Material processing
- Construction
- Shipbuilding
- Automobile maintenance
- Aviation
- Accommodation
- Agriculture
- Fisheries
- Food and beverage manufacturing
- Restaurant service
- Industrial machinery manufacturing
- Electrical and electronic information
- Road transportation (added 2026)
- Railway (added 2026)
India is working to cover all 16 SSW test categories in India and is establishing new test centers across the North, East, South, West, and Northeast regions.
What Tests Do You Need to Pass?
SSW Type 1 requires two exams:
- Skills test: A sector-specific practical exam (held in Japan and increasingly in India)
- Japanese language test: Either JLPT N4 or the JFT-Basic (Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese)
Applicants who have completed Technical Intern Training at the 2nd or 3rd grade level can transition to SSW Type 1 without retaking the skills or language tests.
What Is the Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) and Is It Still Active?
The Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) was established in 1993 to transfer skills from Japan to developing countries through on-the-job training. India began sending trainees under TITP through the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), which has been monitoring the program since January 2018.
TITP operates in three stages — Type 1 (1 year), Type 2 (2 years), and Type 3 (2 years) — for a maximum of 5 years. Trainees work in manufacturing, construction, food processing, textiles, and other sectors. Toyota Kirloskar Motor is one of the NSDC-approved sending organizations in India.
However, TITP is being phased out. In June 2024, Japan's Diet enacted legislation to abolish the program and replace it with the Employment for Skills Development (ESD) system, scheduled to launch by 2027. Existing trainees can complete their programs under current rules during a 3-year transition period. The new system emphasizes worker rights, allows limited job changes within the same sector, and aligns more closely with the SSW pathway.
The India-Japan Action Plan explicitly includes the ESD program as a future pathway: "Attracting Indian potential talents to Japan through TITP and the Employment for Skill Development (ESD) Program, once introduced."
What Is MIRAI-Setu and Who Can Apply?
MIRAI-Setu — meaning "Future Bridge" (Mirai = future, Setu = bridge in Hindi) — is a MOFA Japan-sponsored program that brings Indian university and post-graduate students to Japan for a one-month immersion combining corporate internships with academic exchange. It is implemented in India through AFS Intercultural Programs India.
Key Details (2026 Cycle)
- Duration: 30 days (October 6 – November 4, 2026)
- Participants: Undergraduate and graduate students, primarily from engineering and IT disciplines, plus a few faculty members
- Cost: Fully funded by Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (covers airfare, accommodation, meals, local transport)
- What you do: Company visits at Japanese manufacturing/IT firms, hands-on internships, inter-university exchanges, cultural immersion
- Deadline: Applications for the 2026 cycle closed July 23, 2026
The program's explicit goal is to serve as a "catalyst for long-duration talent exchanges" — participants have gone on to receive job offers from companies like Seiko Electric, Dai-ichi Life Techno Cross, and Infosys Japan.
MIRAI-Setu does not require Japanese language proficiency. The primary language of instruction is English, though basic Japanese is viewed favorably during selection.
What Other Pathways Exist for Students and Researchers?
The Action Plan includes several additional academic and research routes:
Sakura Science Exchange Program
Run by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), the Sakura Science program funds short-term visits for Indian students and researchers to experience Japan's research facilities. India joined the program in April 2016. As of November 2024, 619 Indian students and 91 supervisors had participated. The Action Plan calls for expanding Indian participation, including encouraging female researchers.
MEXT Scholarships
Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) offers government scholarships for Indian students pursuing undergraduate and graduate studies in Japan. These are available through Japanese diplomatic missions in India and require a competitive selection process.
LOTUS Programme
Newly introduced by MEXT for 2026, the LOTUS Programme (India-Japan Circulation of Talented Youths in Science) supports young researchers, including post-graduate students, for joint research between Japanese and Indian universities in cutting-edge fields. METI supplements the program by facilitating matching with Japanese companies through internships.
JET Programme
The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme allows Indian graduates to work in Japan as Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) or Coordinators for International Relations (CIRs). The Action Plan specifically calls for "promoting employment of English language assistant teachers from India in Japan under the JET Programme." The Embassy of Japan in India runs recruitment for Indian citizens.
How Is India Preparing Workers for Japan?
The Action Plan invests heavily in pre-departure preparation, recognizing that language and cultural barriers are the primary reason Indian professionals have historically preferred North America and Europe over Japan.
Japanese Language Training
The plan targets language capability from multiple angles:
- Expanding JLPT and JFT-Basic test centers across all regions of India
- Subsidizing language training by Japanese companies operating in India
- NIHONGO Partners programme: long-term dispatch of Japanese citizens to Indian secondary schools to support local Japanese-language teachers
- 360-hour Teachers' Training Course by the Japan Foundation, being scaled and reoriented toward industry needs
- Pravasi Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PKVY): MEA's pre-departure occupational language training program for SSW-bound workers
Vocational Training Infrastructure
- India-Nippon Programme for Applied Competency Training (INPACT): subsidizes vocational training and endowed courses by Japanese companies in India
- Japan-India Institutes of Manufacturing (JIM): training centers established by Japanese companies in India
- India-Japan Talent Bridge: newly launched program for internship placements and job matching for Indian students and mid-career professionals
- NSDC partnership with Fourth Valley Concierge Corporation (May 2026): a credential verification framework to build employer trust in Indian qualifications
Industry-Academia Recruitment
Japanese companies are conducting outreach programs at Indian universities, particularly for semiconductor and AI roles. The Action Plan calls for "Special Missions of Japanese companies to Indian higher education institutions" to raise awareness of employment opportunities in targeted fields.
What Support Exists After Workers Arrive in Japan?
The Action Plan includes post-arrival support measures:
- Orientation workshops for new arrivals
- Grievance redressal through Indian Missions and Posts in Japan, with support from Japanese government authorities
- Dedicated web portal (in development) consolidating all mobility opportunities and resources
- State-Prefecture partnerships: matching Indian states' skill initiatives with recruitment drives of companies in corresponding Japanese prefectures (see how regional Indian industrial hubs like Rayalaseema are already transforming — these are the exact ecosystems Japan wants to tap for talent)
- Human resources exchange symposiums for ongoing stakeholder dialogue
For SSW workers specifically, Japanese employers are required to submit a support plan covering housing, daily life assistance, and compliance with labor standards. SSW salaries must be comparable to those of Japanese workers in equivalent roles.
What Does the India-Japan Mobility Deal Mean for You?
If you're an Indian IT or engineering professional: The fastest-growing pathway is direct recruitment by Japanese companies, particularly in semiconductors, AI, and advanced manufacturing. The India-Japan Talent Bridge and MIRAI-Setu programs are designed to connect you with employers — but you'll need at least conversational Japanese (JLPT N4 or higher) for most roles. Start language training now.
If you're a semi-skilled worker: The SSW visa is your primary route. Identify which of the 16 sectors matches your skills, prepare for the sector-specific skill test and the JLPT N4 or JFT-Basic language exam, and check whether NSDC-affiliated sending organizations in your state are recruiting for your target sector.
If you're a student or researcher: Apply for MIRAI-Setu (applications typically open early in the year for October cycles), MEXT scholarships via the Embassy of Japan in India, or the Sakura Science program through your university. The LOTUS Programme is the newest option for post-graduate researchers in cutting-edge fields.
If you're an Indian small business in manufacturing or training: The INPACT subsidy and Japan-India Institutes of Manufacturing create opportunities to partner with Japanese companies for workforce training. The NSDC ecosystem can certify and place your trainees. If you're also looking to build AI capabilities into your operations, our 30-day AI adoption playbook for small business provides a complementary framework.
If you're a Japanese employer: The Action Plan creates structured, government-supported recruitment channels. Engage with Indian universities through the Special Mission framework, use the NSDC-FVCC verification system for credential checks, and invest in pre-arrival Japanese language training — the plan subsidizes this.
What Are the Biggest Challenges Facing the Program?
The Action Plan acknowledges three core barriers that have historically limited India-Japan people flows:
1. Language. Japanese is among the hardest languages for Indian speakers, with three writing systems and a linguistic distance that makes fluency a multi-year investment. The plan's heavy investment in language training — from expanding test centers to dispatching NIHONGO Partners to Indian schools — signals that this is the make-or-break challenge.
2. Competition with North America and Europe. Indian professionals have historically preferred the US, Canada, and Europe, where English is the working language and pay is often higher. Whether Japan can offer enough to pull talent away from these familiar destinations remains unclear — especially as US immigration policy shifts under changing geopolitical conditions.
3. Workforce integration. Japan's workplace culture is famously demanding, with strict hierarchy, long hours, and limited flexibility. Retention of foreign workers — not just recruitment — will determine whether the 50,000 target is achievable. The Action Plan addresses this through orientation support and grievance redressal, but workplace norms change slowly.
FAQ
Q: What is the India-Japan workforce mobility agreement?
A: The Action Plan for Human Resource Exchange and Cooperation is a bilateral agreement endorsed at the India-Japan Annual Summit in August 2025, targeting the exchange of over 500,000 people in both directions over five years, including 50,000 skilled Indian workers to Japan. It is overseen by India's MEA and Japan's MOFA.
Q: How can Indian workers get a job in Japan through this program?
A: The main route is the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa, which requires passing a sector-specific skills test and a Japanese language exam (JLPT N4 or JFT-Basic). Apply through NSDC-affiliated sending organizations or the India-Japan Talent Bridge. High-skilled professionals can be directly recruited by Japanese companies, particularly in IT, semiconductors, and AI.
Q: Do Indian workers need to know Japanese to work in Japan?
A: Yes, for most pathways. The SSW visa requires JLPT N4 or JFT-Basic certification. Highly skilled professional visas may not require Japanese for all roles, but conversational ability dramatically improves job placement and retention. The MIRAI-Setu student internship does not require Japanese — instruction is in English.
Q: How much does it cost to participate in MIRAI-Setu?
A: The MIRAI-Setu program is fully funded by Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, covering round-trip airfare, accommodation, meals, and local transport in Japan. Participants are only responsible for personal expenses and passport/visa-related costs.
Q: What is the difference between SSW and TITP?
A: TITP (1993) is a skills-transfer trainee program with a maximum 5-year stay, tied to one employer and one occupation. It is being phased out by 2027 and replaced by the Employment for Skills Development system. SSW (2019) is a proper work visa with labor protections, salary parity with Japanese workers, and a pathway from Type 1 (5-year cap) to Type 2 (unlimited, family permitted, PR pathway). TITP graduates can transition to SSW without retaking exams.
Q: Is the 500,000 target a quota or an aspiration?
A: The Action Plan explicitly describes it as an "aspirational target" covering exchanges in both directions (Indian workers to Japan, and Japanese personnel to India for research, business, and cultural exchanges). It is not a guaranteed number of work visas. The 50,000 skilled-worker figure is a subset of this total.
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