Japan seeks Indian workers but people-to-people ties lag, Pg12

Key Highlights:

• Japan seeks to increase Indian workforce and student presence to address its ageing population.
• Suzuki Motor Corporation pioneered bilateral ties by training Indian workers and now aims to invite Indians to Japan for technology development.
• Only about 1,500 Indian students are in Japan, ranking 34th among countries for Indian students pursuing higher education.
• An "Action Plan" aims to facilitate five lakh workforce exchanges over the next five years, including 50,000 skilled personnel from India to Japan.

Detailed Insights:

• Kenichi Ayukawa highlights Suzuki's historical role in Indo-Japanese cooperation, initially bringing Japanese engineers to India.
• Chandrali Sarkar notes that unfamiliarity with Japan and limited Japanese language skills contribute to hesitation among Indians.
• Kenji Hiramatsu emphasizes the need to change the mindset of Indian youth towards Japan as a special partner and increase student exchanges.
• Japan's ageing population, with one-third over 65, creates a demand for workforce, academics, and a market for goods.
• India's large youth population, with 65% under 35, needs opportunities amid stricter immigration policies in the West and restrictions in China.
• Despite strong government and business ties, people-to-people connections between India and Japan remain underdeveloped.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Ageing Population: A demographic trend where the median age of a population rises due to increased life expectancy and declining birth rates.
• Workforce Exchange: Programs facilitating the movement of workers between countries for training, employment, or skills development.
• Bilateral Ties: Diplomatic, economic, or cultural connections and relationships between two countries.