Japanese language learning may create huge employment opportunity
DHAKA, July 18, 2026: The Japanese Language Teachers' Association of Bangladesh (JALTAB) has urged the government to introduce Japanese language education at the high school level, citing the increasing demand for Japanese language proficiency among Bangladeshi youth and the country's expanding economic and educational ties with Japan.
The call came at a seminar titled "Introducing Japanese Language at School Level in Bangladesh", was held on Saturday at the Department of Japanese Language and Culture under the Institute of Modern Languages (IML), University of Dhaka. The event was organized by JALTAB.
Delivering the keynote address, JALTAB President Prof. Dr. Mohammed Ansarul Alam welcomed the government's initiative to introduce multiple foreign languages at the secondary school level and stressed that Japanese should be included in the first phase of implementation.
He said there is a strong and growing demand for Japanese language skills among Bangladeshi youth, particularly in higher education, employment, technical training and overseas job markets.
Prof. Alam also assured that JALTAB, in collaboration with the Japan Foundation, is prepared to provide all necessary technical assistance, including teacher training, curriculum development, preparation of teaching materials, and conducting surveys and research to facilitate the introduction of Japanese language education in schools.
Joining the seminar virtually from Japan, retired Japan Foundation Senior Expert Kei Shirai praised the initiatives taken by both the Bangladesh government and JALTAB. He also encouraged policymakers to study successful models adopted by other South Asian and Southeast Asian countries in introducing Japanese language education at the school level.
Among those present were Japan Foundation expert Tomoyuki Fukui and JALTAB General Secretary Kuniaki Okabayashi. Participating online, Ahmedul Azam, Teaching Fellow at the Center for Academic Practice and Resources of Hiroshima University, and Tarek Rahman, a PhD student at the Graduate School of Education, Aichi University of Education, shared their experiences in Japan and expressed support for the initiative.
Fazilatun Nesa Shieuly, a teacher at Jahangirnagar University and representative of JUAAB, emphasized that ensuring job security and competitive salaries for language teachers would be essential for the successful implementation of the programme.
Concluding the seminar, JALTAB General Secretary Kuniaki Okabayashi proposed forming a JALTAB delegation to engage with the relevant government authorities and stakeholders to advance the initiative.
The seminar concluded with optimism that its recommendations would be shared with policymakers and other stakeholders, while JALTAB pledged to continue working towards expediting the introduction of Japanese language education at the high school level in Bangladesh.
