Bound for Japan youths interact with Bhalla
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 08 2026: Candidates selected to work in Japan under the Specified Skilled Workers (SSW) program, including an IDP, interacted with Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at Lok Bhavan today.

As per a press note from the Governor's Secretariat, the SSW was introduced by the Government of Japan in April 2019, as a residency status, allowing Indian youth to work and reside in Japan.

The Memorandum of Cooperation between India and Japan for the implementation of the 'Specified Skilled Worker' programme was signed in January 2021 .

During the brief meeting, the Governor interacted with the candidates (along with their parents) belonging to different districts of Manipur, including Ukhrul, Senapati, Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, and an Internally Displaced Person from Churachandpur.

According to the statement, the candidates who have successfully completed the Japanese language test and a skills proficiency test, will travel to Japan and work in various sectors such as nursing, hospitality, manufacturing, etc .

Thirteen candidates have been approved for the Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) and will travel to Japan later this month.

Governor Bhalla extended his best wishes and expressed hope that the candidates will perform well, uphold the values and culture of Manipur and India, and serve as ambassadors of goodwill while working in Japan.

Additionally, eleven of the SSW candidates were presented with simple gifts during a felicitation cum interaction programme held today at the Surveyor Hall of Government Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Takyel, Imphal.

The programme was jointly organised by the Department of Skill Labour, Employment and Entrepreneurship (SLEE) in collaboration with the Rural Development Department.

Addressing the gathering, N Bandana Devi, Secretary, SLEE and State Mission Director, Manipur State Rural Livelihoods Mission (MSRLM), informed that 145 youths from Manipur have already been placed in Japan, with more candidates in the pipeline.

Even as 13 candidates are preparing to leave for Japan in February, another 18 will also be headed for the country in March.

According to youths working in Japan, though the country has a high cost of living, their workplaces are located at a walkable distance from their residence while lodgings are made available to them at low cost.

The country also has a good working atmosphere and competitive salaries, with most of the Manipuri youths receiving Rs 1.20 lakh to Rs 1.50 lakh per month, she said.

Stressing on the need to learn Japanese in order to work in Japan, she pointed out that a Japanese course is now available at Manipur University.

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