Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a new state initiative to train 50,000 youth in the Japanese language. The program aims to send these individuals to Japan for employment opportunities. Sarma shared the details recently via his official X account, outlining a strategic plan for youth skill development and global workforce integration.
The Chief Minister’s Foreign Languages Initiative for Global Human Talent, known as CM-FLIGHT , will spearhead this effort. It targets young boys and girls from Assam seeking international job placements. The primary goal is to equip them with essential foreign language skills, beginning with Japanese. This initiative seeks to open doors to global work, significantly enhancing their economic independence and career prospects abroad.
Program Objectives and Scope
The Assam government’s initiative sets a clear and ambitious target: to facilitate the employment of 50,000 youth in Japan. This program strategically addresses the global demand for skilled workers, particularly in countries like Japan, which face an aging population and labor shortages. By focusing on Japanese language and cultural training, Assam aims to create a skilled talent pool ready for international markets.
CM-FLIGHT will initially focus on Japanese language, making it the first foreign language cohort under the scheme. The success of this initial phase may pave the way for training in other foreign languages, further diversifying opportunities for Assamese youth. This represents a proactive step towards leveraging international labor demands for the economic upliftment of the state’s young population.
First Phase Implementation Details
The inaugural phase of the program will enroll 180 youth . These participants will receive intensive training in the Japanese language, ensuring they achieve proficiency suitable for professional environments. Alongside language instruction, a crucial component of their preparation involves comprehensive cultural training. This includes insights into Japanese customs, workplace etiquette, and societal norms, preparing them for a smooth transition into a new country and work culture.
Beyond training, the program offers essential job placement support . This assistance covers resume building, interview preparation, and direct connections with potential employers in Japan. Financial assistance is also provided to eligible candidates, further reducing barriers to participation. This multi-faceted approach ensures participants are well-equipped not only linguistically and culturally but also logistically for successful integration into the Japanese workforce.
Significant Fee Reduction for Students
Chief Minister Sarma also announced a substantial reduction in the program fee, making the initiative highly accessible. Initially, the full cost for the comprehensive training and placement program was Rs 3,60,000 per student. This fee has now been drastically lowered through government subsidies and external negotiations.
Under the initial structure, the Assam government committed Rs 1,00,000 per student. The Japanese government also contributed an initial subsidy of Rs 50,000 . This meant students were initially responsible for paying the remaining Rs 2,10,000 . However, following further discussions with Japanese officials and partner organizations like Nishikawa, the overall program fee was renegotiated and reduced to Rs 1,80,000 .
With this revised total program fee, and accounting for the combined government subsidies totaling Rs 1,50,000 (Rs 1,00,000 from Assam and Rs 50,000 from Japan), students will now contribute only Rs 30,000 for the entire course. This significant financial relief aims to encourage wider participation among deserving youth across Assam, removing a major financial barrier.
Program Fee Structure Breakdown
| Description | Amount (INR) |
|---|---|
| Original Total Program Fee | 3,60,000 |
| Assam Government Subsidy | 1,00,000 |
| Japanese Government (Initial) Subsidy | 50,000 |
| Student’s Initial Responsibility | 2,10,000 |
| Revised Total Program Fee (after negotiation) | 1,80,000 |
| Student’s Final Responsibility | 30,000 |
Strengthening International Collaboration
The CM-FLIGHT program significantly deepens collaboration between India and Japan. By creating a direct pathway for skilled youth employment, it strengthens people-to-people ties and economic cooperation, specifically between the state of Assam and Japan. This initiative is a practical demonstration of robust bilateral relations.
This strategic partnership extends beyond mere language education. It fosters cultural exchange, promotes mutual understanding, and establishes a reliable pipeline of a skilled workforce. Assam aims to position itself as a key source of globally competent talent, with Japan serving as a primary destination for these skilled professionals, contributing to both regional and international development.