To support quality growth in countries, it is essential for their people to acquire the necessary vocational skills. In developing countries, however, opportunities to receive quality education and training are limited. Moreover, the ineffective use of human resources tends to stifle opportunities for earning sufficient income. A shortage of appropriate human resources thus poses a major obstacle to industrial development in those countries.

“Work” constitutes a fundamental activity of mankind that shapes society. Increasing income by getting a job (employment) is an important means for improving the living standards of people. Nevertheless, the global employment situation is uncertain, and the number of unemployed people in 2018 was 172 million. Moreover, it is predicted that the unemployment rate will be roughly on the same level during 2019-2020. In order to create stable employment under these circumstances, each country must urgently prepare for risks by building social safety nets, as well as engage in an international effort to realize “decent work,” established as Goal 8 of the SDGs.

●Japan’s Efforts

Vocational Training and Industrial Human Resources Development

Based on requests from developing countries to develop human resources who can respond to diverse needs in technology and technical skills, Japan provides support to leading polytechnic and vocational training schools, which will serve as core centers in each country. In implementing this assistance, Japan, in cooperation with the private sector, supports the capacity building of teachers and trainers, the reinforcement of the operational capacity of training schools, and curriculum improvement, in order to further strengthen the linkages between education and employment.

In the field of industrial human resources development, Japan implemented 64 comprehensive cooperation projects in 31 countries between 2000 and 2019. The projects drew on Japan’s insight and know-how for the development and revision of curriculums and teaching materials, capacity enhancement of trainers, and collaboration with the industry sector. As a result, Japan provided support for improving facilities and equipment at 12 schools in six countries, as well as Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions. Japan also contributed to skill development through 14 projects in eight countries, with the aim of improving the livelihoods of women, the disabled, demobilized soldiers, as well as refugees and others whose lives have been impacted by conflict.

In addition, in relation to Africa, Japan positioned developing industrial human resources as part of Japan’s contributions for Africa announced at TICAD7 held in August 2019 in Yokohama. Japan expressed its intention to train 140,000 people in order to diversify industries and create jobs in areas such as innovation, agriculture, blue economy, (Note12), and others, through the Kaizen Initiative, vocational training centers, and technical assistance financed by the AfDB’s trust fund. Japan also announced that human resources development for business and industry would be conducted for 3,000 people to promote business between Japan and Africa in six years under the African Business Education Initiative for Youth (ABE Initiative)* 3.0. The ABE Initiative, driven by industry-academia-government cooperation, enables trainees to study at 76 universities (156 graduate courses offered) throughout Japan as of the end of 2019 (see also “Stories from the Field”).

Tanzanian staff receiving a briefing from a JICA expert dispatched for Phase 2 of the Project on Strengthening Manufacturing Enterprises through Quality and Productivity (Photo: JICA)

The “Industrial Human Resource Development Cooperation Initiative” was announced at the Japan-ASEAN Summit Meeting in 2015 with the goal of assisting industrial human resource development of 40,000 people over the next three years in Asia. At the Japan-ASEAN Summit Meeting in November 2018, following the achievement of the initiative for exceeding the original goal, Japan announced the “Industrial Human Resource Development Cooperation Initiative 2.0,” which aims to support industrial human resource development of approximately 80,000 people in Asia over the next five years, with a view toward the 50th anniversary of Japan-ASEAN Friendship and Cooperation in 2023. In this initiative, cooperation for industrial advancement capabilities, including in AI and other digital fields, has been newly listed, in addition to cooperation in practical technology, design and development capabilities, innovation, business administration, planning, and management capabilities, which have been emphasized thus far.

Furthermore, under the “Japan Revitalization Strategy 2016” decided by the Cabinet in 2016, with the aim of contributing to fostering innovation in both Japan and developing countries in Asia, Japan decided to launch a new initiative known as the “Innovative Asia,” Initiative for circulation of competent human resources between Japan and Asian countries, aiming to offer study opportunities and internships in Japan for approximately 1,000 talented students from Asia over five years from FY2017. This new initiative was highly welcomed by partner countries on occasions such as summit meetings, and aims to lead to the strengthening of diplomatic relations between Japan and Asian countries in the mid- to long-term.

In addition, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) conducts trainings in Japan primarily for Southeast Asian countries, (Note13) with which Japan has been expanding and deepening economically interdependent relationships. The trainings (Note14) are designed to transfer the Government and private sector’s accumulated know-how on Japan’s skills evaluation system (Japan’s National Trade Skill Test and Certification), with a view to developing and securing a quality workforce. In FY2018, a total of 152 people from three countries participated in these training programs. The training is expected to develop and improve skills evaluation systems in these countries, which in turn will promote the development of their skilled workers and elevate their social standing through increased employment opportunities.

Employment, Including Job Creation

Japan also provides support in the area of employment. The question of how to address issues such as response to serious industrial accidents that occur frequently, and protecting the rights of workers and stabilizing employment amidst the expansion of the global supply chain, is a common issue for each country. In light of this, the improvement of the working environment from a global perspective is becoming an increasingly important issue. To cope with these problems, Japan provides technical cooperation that supports developing countries primarily in Asia, focusing on the enhancement of security and hygienic standards of work, as well as improvement of employment legislations and its implementing systems for the improvement of working environments, through means such as voluntary contributions to the International Labour Organization (ILO). In addition, Japan is also engaged in realizing decent work, such as providing support in Africa, including support for youth employment in The Gambia (see also “Stories from the Field”).

1. Note 12: The blue economy aims to balance the conservation of ocean resources and economic development through the sustainable use of resources from the oceans, rivers, lakes, and more.
2. Note 13: The target countries are Indonesia, Thailand, Viet Nam, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos.
3. Note 14: There are two types of training in this project: “training for people in charge of the creation of test standards and test problems” and “training for people in charge of tests and marking.” The number of participants above is the total value for both of these types of training.

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