Japan’s labor shortage is deepening, particularly in care, transportation, and hospitality. By 2028, Japan will need about 2.36 million workers in the care sector alone, but is expected to fall short by more than 1.35 million. Local facilities have already begun hiring workers from India.
Recruitment agencies like Zenken are cooperating with India’s NSDC (National Skill Development Corporation) to send skilled workers to Japan under the “Specified Skilled Worker” framework. Trainees study Japanese for up to five years, preparing for the national exam, and can expect salaries of around 240,000 yen per month—much higher than the 40,000 to 80,000 yen common in India.
The shortage is also acute in the transportation sector, with Japan facing the so-called “2024 problem” of a trucking workforce decline. About 25,400 truck drivers will need to be recruited annually, and companies are turning to Indian drivers trained in Japanese. Agencies such as NAVIS have already placed Indian drivers into Japanese firms, with poultry logistics company Marui Unso set to begin employing them from October.
In hospitality the shortage is also serious. By 2028 the sector will need about 609000 workers but is likely to fall short by 273000. Indian workers are valued for language skills and are now joining hot spring resorts such as Taki no Yu in Yamagata.
Local governments are also taking initiative. For example, Ibaraki Prefecture has partnered with Amity University in Delhi to provide Japanese-language training and work experience programs, directly linking Indian students with regional employers.
India’s demographic scale strengthens this partnership. With a population of 1.41 billion—expected to continue growing—India offers both a young workforce and strong English education. In contrast, Japan’s population is set to fall to around 87 million by 2070. This demographic reality makes India a crucial partner for Japan’s future labor needs.
Next Read
For a deeper look at Japan’s long-term direction on foreign-worker policy, see this Insight:
“From Technical Intern Training to ESDP: Japan’s New Foreign Worker Roadmap”
Source
Nikkei 9/20/2025
Hajime’s Note
This marks an important turning point. Japan has long faced labor shortages, but India’s large workforce and strong English education make it a key partner. For foreign workers, opportunities in Japan will keep growing. For Japan, the priority must shift from competing for talent to developing true partnerships.
Io’s Note
It’s important to remember that integration goes beyond just hiring. Language support, fair working conditions, and respect for cultural differences are what make these partnerships sustainable.
