EU leaders attend India’s Republic Day military paradeーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS

Key Concepts

• India-EU Relations: Strengthening ties between India and the European Union, highlighted by EU leaders attending India’s Republic Day.
• Indian Military Modernization: Shift towards domestic weapons production and diversification of military procurement away from Russia.
• Japan’s Labor Shortage: Critical shortage of labor in Japan’s transportation sector, particularly post-pandemic.
• Specified Skilled Worker Program: Japan’s initiative to recruit foreign workers in fields facing labor shortages.
• Filipino Workforce: Targeting the Philippines as a source of skilled labor for Japan’s aviation and maritime industries.
• Employee Retention: Strategies employed by Japanese companies to retain Filipino crew members working long periods at sea.

India’s Republic Day & Strengthening Ties with the EU

India celebrated its 77th Republic Day on Monday, marking the anniversary of its constitution coming into effect in 1950. A significant aspect of this year’s celebrations was the presence of European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as guests of honor, signifying India’s efforts to strengthen ties with the European Union. The celebrations included a large-scale military parade showcasing India’s defense capabilities. Notably displayed were the Brahmos cruise missile, a joint development with Russia, and a domestically produced hypersonic missile. New systems designed for countering drone and missile attacks were also presented, demonstrating advancements in India’s defense technology. India has historically relied on Russia for weapons procurement, but is now actively promoting domestic production and diversifying its sources due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Japan’s Transportation Sector & Filipino Skilled Workers

Japan’s transportation businesses are facing a severe and chronic labor shortage, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This shortage is impacting airlines and shipping companies alike, leading to concerns about potential flight disruptions and operational challenges. To address this, Japan is increasingly looking to the Philippines, a country with a long tradition of sending skilled workers abroad, through the “Specified Skilled Worker Program.”

Aviation Sector Recruitment

All Nippon Airways (ANA) held a job offer ceremony in the Philippines in November 2025, recruiting six graduates from a local aviation college. These graduates are now employed as ground staff at a central Japan airport, responsible for critical tasks such as guiding aircraft on the tarmac. This marks the first instance of ANA hiring overseas staff for this role under the Specified Skilled Worker Program. The airline plans to expand this recruitment effort to other local airports. One new hire stated, “Having the opportunity to work with ANA is really a dream come true for me. I am really happy… working with my fellow classmates.” The program aims to accept up to 4,400 aviation sector workers over five years, concluding in March 2029. ANA emphasizes the importance of language proficiency, providing 420 hours of intensive Japanese language lessons to each trainee in the six months prior to their arrival in Japan. A company representative noted, “With safety the number one priority, even the slightest miscommunication is unacceptable… final decisions and orders must still be made by humans.”

Maritime Sector Recruitment & Retention

The labor shortage extends to the maritime industry as well. A maritime academy near Manila, jointly operated by a major Japanese shipping company and a local partner, is training future seafarers. Approximately half of the academy’s graduates intend to work on the Japanese firm’s ships. Recognizing the challenges of long periods spent at sea, the shipping company prioritizes employee retention. They recently organized a day at an amusement park for approximately 3,000 crew members and their families, with one crew member stating, “We spend 9 months on board… When we take vacation, this is a very good gift for us for a little bit of enjoyment for my family.” The company views Filipino crew members as “highly motivated people who work seriously with a positive attitude” and is committed to strengthening its recruitment efforts.

Conclusion

Both India and Japan are actively pursuing strategies to address evolving geopolitical and economic challenges. India is strengthening international partnerships and modernizing its military, while Japan is proactively addressing its domestic labor shortages by leveraging the skilled workforce available in the Philippines. These initiatives highlight the increasing interconnectedness of global economies and the importance of international cooperation in securing future growth and stability.