Zeliang highlighted the recent Memorandum of Understanding signed with Japan’s Kochi Prefecture, which formalises cooperation in areas such as human resource exchange, skill development, and agriculture. He noted that such partnerships are intended to create practical opportunities for Naga youth beyond conventional institutional ties. Kunitoshi Hojo, Deputy Director General of the Department of Commerce and Labour, Kochi Prefecture, said the region is facing an acute labour shortage due to its ageing population. He said Kochi’s global worker attraction programme aims to address this challenge and expressed hope that more youths from Nagaland would participate in the initiative. Hojo informed that 19 youths from Nagaland are currently working in Kochi, with additional recruits expected to arrive later this year.