Japan stands at a crossroads. The traditional employment systems tied to nationality and language are evolving, fueled by changing work environments and the rise of remote work. Highly skilled professionals are embracing side jobs, launching businesses, and breaking away from the outdated lifetime employment model. At this pivotal moment, Plus W is reimagining the future of work by fostering collaboration where individuals and companies elevate each other as equal partners.
But let’s be clear: Japan faces an undeniable challenge. A declining population and shrinking workforce demand action, not hesitation. At Plus W, we see this as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to rewrite the rules. Guided by our unwavering vision, "For the World with Diverse Individualities," we have taken bold steps to connect Japanese businesses with global talent. What began as a bridge between Japanese and Pakistani IT professionals has grown into a global movement.
From Japan to the World: Building Global Bridges
In 2022, we established the Pakistan-Japan Centre for Mutual Cooperation at NUST in Islamabad. Today, this groundbreaking initiative has connected over 5,500 Pakistani IT professionals with opportunities in Japan. The Centre provides specialized IT and Japanese language training, empowering individuals with the skills needed to thrive in the global workforce. With over 1,000 professionals already trained and METI’s approval, this program is reshaping international collaboration standards.
Leading this charge is Hafiz Muhammad Umair Munir, the Centre’s Head, who graduated at the top of his class at NUST, studied and worked in Japan, and now serves as a vital bridge between the two nations. Through his leadership, the Centre has also leveraged AOTS-sponsored courses to deliver cutting-edge IT education, preparing Pakistani engineers to tackle advanced challenges in the global market.
This is just the beginning of our journey. By partnering with 9 universities and local governments in Pakistan, we’re expanding the talent pipeline, ensuring that opportunities reach every corner of the region. Beyond training, Plus W actively connects these skilled professionals with Japanese companies, helping them adapt to English-based IT software development processes and fostering cultural transformation through diversity training.
Visionary Leadership for a Bold Future
Our founder, Wakako Sakurai, recognized Japan’s demographic challenges early in her career.
In her 20s, she foresaw the pressing need to address labor shortages and took action by building expertise in global talent recruitment. While serving as a Senior Vice President at NTT DOCOMO, she founded Plus W in 2020 to fulfill her lifelong mission: mobilizing global talent, empowering Japanese businesses, and shaping a more interconnected world.
Under Sakurai’s leadership, Plus W has expanded its reach to the U.S., opening an office in New York last year. This strategic move positions us to engage in high-impact IT projects across the Global South—regions like Asia, Africa, and Latin America, where untapped potential is reshaping global markets. By combining global expertise with local partnerships, Plus W is setting a new standard for workforce mobility.
A Future Powered by People
Our success in Pakistan and beyond has set the stage for a larger vision: transforming workforce mobility to meet the demands of a globalized economy. With our growing global network and deep local expertise, Plus W is determined to reshape Japan’s workforce mobility.
While workforce mobility in Japan lags behind global standards, Plus W is committed to driving change. We challenge norms and redefine possibilities. We are not here to accept the status quo; we are here to challenge it. Our approach combines cutting-edge technology, hands-on training, and the transformative power of human connection to break down barriers and unlock new possibilities. Plus W not only dispatches global IT engineers to companies in areas like Nagasaki and Tokushima but also provides multicultural understanding training and assigns experienced bilingual software engineers. We implement every necessary measure to ensure that international talent can thrive within Japanese companies.
Pakistani engineers, already excelling in cutting edge global projects, are now prepared to bring their expertise to Japan and drive innovation. With METI’s backing, we’ve begun integrating top talent into our ecosystem and are on track to expand these efforts significantly in the coming years. Our mission is simple yet bold, which is to build a future where diversity is not an exception but the standard.
In March 2022, Plus W established the PAK-Japan Centre at the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) in Islamabad
Empowering Tomorrow’s Workforce Today
At Plus W, we believe that the challenges of today are the opportunities of tomorrow. Through every partnership, every training program, and every new venture, we are shaping a future that thrives on innovation, inclusion, and collaboration. Together with our partners across the globe, we are leading the charge to redefine what’s possible for Japan and beyond.
This isn’t just business; this is transformation. Together, we are building the workforce of the future— and we’re just getting started.
Wakako Sakurai, President & CEO, Plus W
In her 20s, Sakurai recognized Japan’s declining birthrate, aging population, and the resulting labor shortage, as well as the intensifying competition for domestic talent. To address these challenges, she founded a global recruitment company, gaining expertise in international talent exchange and workforce development. She later joined ABC Cooking Studio Inc., Japan’s largest cooking school chain with over 100 studios and 4,500 employees nationwide. In 2013, she was appointed as CEO, driving the company’s expansion into China, Hong Kong, and other Asian markets while achieving three consecutive years of revenue and profit growth. In 2017, Sakurai joined NTT DOCOMO, Inc., where she currently serves as Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Entertainment Platform Department. In 2020, she founded Plus W Inc. to mobilize domestic talent through second jobs and dispatch global IT professionals, contributing to solutions for Japan’s aging society.
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