KATHMANDU, Aug 26: Two government ministers recently presented certificates of appreciation to a Japanese citizen for providing rare opportunities to Nepali engineers in Japan.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development Prakashman Singh and Minister for Labor, Employment and Social Security Sharat Singh Bhandari honored Japanese citizen Yoshitaka Izumi at their respective ministries on Monday for his contributions.
Izumi has trained and employed Nepali engineers in Japan, and the number of Nepalis he has employed has now reached a thousand. He brings Nepalis to Japan making them compete for positions. Not only that, the engineers do not have to spend a single rupee; instead, they receive other necessary facilities.
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Forty years ago, Izumi established IMAC Engineering Company in Tokyo and brought Danny Shakya from Kathmandu to Japan for the first time. The Nepalis’ dedication to learning the Japanese language and culture, along with their disciplined work ethic, encouraged a continuous flow of engineers to Japan. Danny told to Republica, “Japan’s population is declining, and so are engineers. The birth rate is low. That’s why workers come from all over the world, but Nepalis are the workforce that fits Japan best.”
The Japanese prefer honest workers who stay long-term and those interested in the language and culture. Among South Asian workers, Nepalis are the most favored. Japanese employers also find that Nepalis learn the language and adapt to work practices more quickly.
It has been about 13 years since Izumi started receing Nepalis to Japan, and the pace has not slowed. As work in Japan increases, so does his willingness to bring Nepali engineers. He clearly states, “We do not want engineers who pay to go there. Those who spend money to go tend to worry more about sending money home than the work itself. That is why we take engineers without charging them any fees.”
One reason Nepalis want to work in Japan and stay long-term is that similar work opportunities are not available at home. “That’s why, after 10 years of work in Japan, we have opened an office in Kathmandu so that they can continue to work here,” said Rajib Bajracharya, General Manager of IMAC’s Kathmandu-based Engineering Service Center. “We are creating opportunities here for those who have worked long-term in Japan.”
Engineers in Japan initially earn about Rs 224,000. With experience, their benefits and facilities increase. The key, Izumi says, is to work hard and continue progressing.
Danny confirmed that in the future, Nepalis can still go to Japan without paying fees, as there are opportunities for engineers. However, those who do not work well risk being sent back. For those willing to learn and advance, Japan offers ample opportunities.
At 75 years old, Japanese industrialist Yositaka, influenced by Switzerland, considers Nepal increasingly important. He noted that Switzerland hosts world-renowned companies, and similarly, Nepal has potential not only in tourism but also in industry and technology.
“By learning and working in Japan, Nepalis bring technology that will benefit the country in the future,” Yoshitaka said. “Engineers we employ now will become skilled human resources for Nepal in the years ahead.”
Nepali engineers sent from Nepal are trained and then placed in various companies in Japan. Yositaka has continued this program confidently, recognizing Nepalis’ work potential.
Deputy Prime Minister Singh’s certificate of appreciation read: “Your vision and commitment have given Nepali talent the opportunity to learn and gain technical experience in Japan. This valuable opportunity not only enhances their skills but also prepares them to contribute to Nepal’s development and transformation in the future.”
