Japan has announced plans to recruit around 20,000 Nepali caregivers to work in its healthcare sector under a newly expanded Japan–Nepal service exchange program, creating significant overseas employment opportunities for Nepali youth.
The initiative is aimed at addressing Japan’s growing shortage of healthcare and elderly care workers, driven by its rapidly aging population. Under the program, Nepali caregivers will be employed in hospitals, nursing homes, and elderly care facilities across Japan.
According to officials, the program will focus on skill-based migration, ensuring that selected workers receive proper training in caregiving, language proficiency, and workplace standards before deployment. The Nepali government is expected to coordinate with Japanese authorities to manage recruitment, certification, and worker protection.
The move is seen as a positive step for Nepal’s labor market, as it opens access to higher-paying, formal-sector jobs while also enhancing the skills of Nepali workers. Remittances from Japan are also expected to increase as a result of the program.
Both countries have described the initiative as a mutually beneficial partnership, strengthening bilateral ties while supporting Japan’s healthcare system and providing sustainable employment pathways for Nepali youth.