Dimapur: The Nagaland government, through the Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN), on Wednesday organised Nagaland Japan Connect 2026 at the Integrated Business Hub & Innovation Centre (IBHIC) in Dimapur, aimed at creating employment opportunities for Naga youth in Japan.
Addressing the event as the special guest, Deputy Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang described Nagaland Japan Connect as a strategic economic intervention. “This partnership is built on mutual trust and a shared vision for the future,” he said, recalling the long-standing engagement between Nagaland and Japan since 2014.
In his welcome address, IDAN chairman Abu Metha said the initiative, conceptualised nearly a year ago, is the result of sustained efforts by various state government departments under the leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.
Kunitoshi Hojo, Deputy Director General of the Kochi Prefectural Department of Commerce and Labour, said Japan is facing a growing shortage of human resources due to its ageing population, particularly in the job market. Highlighting the rising demand for Naga youth, especially in Kochi Prefecture, he said that while there were no workers from Nagaland in Kochi in 2024, the number has now increased to 19.
He added that more students from Nagaland would soon be recruited through the programme to work in Kochi Prefecture.
Eight companies from Kochi Prefecture participated in the event, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening cooperation with Nagaland. Several key Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) were exchanged to institutionalise collaboration in vocational training, internships, international placements, and investment facilitation.
Konnekt Asia was designated as Nagaland’s official representative in Japan in partnership with IDAN, tasked with promoting investment, technical cooperation, educational exchange, and sectoral partnerships. In addition, NYK and IDAN signed an MoU to develop a vocational training ecosystem in Nagaland, combining foreign language skills with industry-oriented technical training.
In the agriculture sector, the School of Agricultural Sciences signed separate MoUs with Corporation Kumagai Co. Ltd. and Hagumi Farm Co. Ltd. to offer one-year internships, providing students with hands-on exposure to advanced Japanese farming practices.
A technical session was also held to prepare participants for overseas employment, focusing on Japanese work culture, workplace ethics, discipline, and employer expectations. The session outlined a clear roadmap covering language proficiency, skill standards, recruitment procedures, and long-term career pathways.
The event recorded over 450 student registrations and featured direct job interviews and interactions with Japanese employers across sectors including agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, electronics, hospitality, and heavy machinery.