Japan Faces Looming Shortage of Software Engineers, Looks to Indian Talent Pool

Bengaluru, Aug 8 (KNN) Japan is set to face a critical shortage of 180,000 software engineers by 2030, a gap that the nation is looking to bridge by leveraging India’s robust software power and abundant tech talent.

This strategic vision was articulated by Toshihiro Mizutani, Director General of the Japan External Trade Organisation (Jetro), during a recent event in Bengaluru.

“Japan is hardware-heavy while our software capabilities are slightly slow and behind compared to, say, that of the U.S and European geographies,” Mizutani commented on the sidelines of the Japan-India Innovation Pitch.

Under this initiative, prominent Japanese and Indian corporations presented their challenges, seeking innovative solutions from startups. The response was overwhelming, with 135 applications received and 15 startups shortlisted.

Among the corporates involved were Maruti Suzuki, Omron Healthcare, Toyota Tsusho, GMR Group, and Infosys, all looking for cutting-edge tech solutions for diverse industry applications.

Geetanjali Vikram Kirloskar, addressing the gathering, emphasized the collaborative spirit between the two nations. “It is heartening to see India’s youth teaming up with Japan to promote innovation for the world,” she said.

Drawing on over 30 years of exposure to Japanese business culture, Kirloskar highlighted four guiding principles crucial for accelerating economic ties with Japan: respect, building trust, humility, and patience.

Mizutani noted that while the Japan-India Innovation Pitch is a new initiative in India, it has already seen success in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

These programs have effectively involved social entrepreneurs in driving economic growth, setting a promising precedent for the India-Japan collaboration.

The event, organised by Jetro Bengaluru in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), aims to foster open collaboration between Indian and Japanese startups and corporates.

As Japan navigates its software engineer shortage, this bilateral partnership marks a significant step towards harnessing India’s tech talent to meet future demands, strengthening economic ties, and fostering innovation across borders.

(KNN Bureau)