IMPHAL: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Friday met representatives of Zenken Corporation and six Japanese social welfare corporations at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat in Imphal to explore employment opportunities for the youth of the state in Japan.

The Japanese delegation is visiting Imphal to conduct a recruitment drive at the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) International Academy at Manipur University. The drive is being jointly facilitated by NSDC International and Manipur University, with support from the Department of Skills, Labour, Employment and Entrepreneurship (SLEE), Government of Manipur. A total of 12 candidates have been selected for placement in Japan through the recruitment process.

During the interaction, the Chief Minister highlighted the growing employment opportunities for Manipuri youth in Japan and assured the delegation that the state government would extend all possible support to young people seeking jobs there.

More than 230 youths from Manipur are currently working in Japan across different sectors. The state government is also planning to introduce training programmes for truck and taxi drivers aspiring to secure employment in Japan.

The Japanese delegation included representatives from Social Welfare Corporation Fukushi Gakudan, Social Welfare Corporation Gasshoen, Social Welfare Corporation Goshiki, Social Welfare Corporation Life no Gakkou, Social Welfare Corporation Mineyama and Social Welfare Corporation Kuneikai, along with officials of Zenken Corporation.

The interaction was attended by N. Bandana Devi, Secretary of the Department of Skills, Labour, Employment and Entrepreneurship, and Masotmi Zimik, State Engagement Officer of NSDC, among others.

The Japanese representatives included Iida Daisuke, President of Social Welfare Corporation Fukushi Gakudan; Kamio Masashi, Managing Director of Social Welfare Corporation Gasshoen; Iwaya Katsuyoshi, Facility Head of Social Welfare Corporation Goshiki; Okamoto Yusuke, Facility Head of Social Welfare Corporation Life no Gakkou; Shimizu Mami, Management Staff of Social Welfare Corporation Mineyama; and Nakagawa Yukari and Heidy Nerissa Putri of Zenken Corporation.