Shillong, September 5:
The Government of Meghalaya, through the Meghalaya State Skill Development Society (MSSDS), has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Asean One Co. Ltd., Japan, in Tokyo on September 5, 2025.

This milestone agreement is the outcome of Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Conrad K. Sangma’s official visit to Japan in April 2025, during which he articulated a forward-looking vision to create international career pathways for the youth of Meghalaya. Guided by his commitment to equipping young people with globally relevant skills and enhancing the State’s engagement with advanced economies, the Chief Minister initiated discussions that have now culminated in this agreement.

Scope of the Partnership

The MoU focuses on creating opportunities in:

Healthcare and caregiving

Hospitality and IT

Other priority sectors aligned with Japan’s workforce needs

It also provides for Japanese language and cultural integration training, ensuring that candidates are well-prepared for overseas employment. The partnership will begin with the training and placement of 500 candidates in the first year, scaling up to 5,000 youth over the next five years.

Leadership Speaks

Speaking at the signing ceremony held at the Indian Embassy in Tokyo, Shri Shakliar Warjri, Hon’ble Minister in charge of Labour, Employment & Skill Development, Government of Meghalaya, said:

“This MoU is not just an agreement—it is a gateway for our young people to access international careers while deepening the cultural and economic ties between Meghalaya and Japan.”

Mr. Toshiaki Nishikawa, Chairman and CEO of Asean One Japan, has been actively engaged in workforce mobility solutions between India and Japan. He also recently met Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi during the 15th India–Japan Annual Summit in Tokyo (August 29–30, 2025), underscoring the alignment of this initiative with the Prime Minister’s vision of making India a Global Skill Hub.

Strengthening Bilateral Ties

This milestone agreement reflects a shared commitment by the Government of Meghalaya and Asean One Japan to build structured, sustainable pathways for global employment—empowering Meghalaya’s youth while strengthening India–Japan cooperation in skill development and workforce mobility.

Photos attached:

Shri Conrad K. Sangma, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Meghalaya, during preliminary discussions with Mr. Toshiaki Nishikawa in May 2025.

Shri Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, with Mr. Nishikawa at the India–Japan Summit in Tokyo, August 2025.

Shri Shakliar Warjri, Hon’ble Minister, Government of Meghalaya, with Mr. Nishikawa during the MoU signing in Tokyo, September 2025.