UNIQLO India scouts Naga talent; two candidates hired

A two-day visit by UNIQLO India to Nagaland to explore local talent has resulted in the immediate hiring of two candidates under its management programme, following growing engagement between Nagaland and Japan.
In a press note issued by IDAN, the visit, led by UNIQLO India COO, CFO and board director Kenji Inoue from April 22–23, 2026 comes in the backdrop of the “Nagaland-Japan Connect” initiative held earlier this year to strengthen bilateral collaborations.
During the visit, Inoue held meetings with advisor Industries & Commerce Hekani Jakhalu, Abu Metha and senior university officials, besides interacting with students from MBA, BBA and MCom streams. He expressed satisfaction with the quality of manpower in the state and indicated that UNIQLO India was keen to onboard Naga candidates for its UNIQLO Management Candidate (UMC) and retail associate roles.
As part of a pilot phase, candidates were shortlisted with support from institutions including Nagaland University, ICFAI University Nagaland, St. Joseph’s University and NECU. Two candidates– Shongmeth Konyak (ICFAI) and Tolivi Shohe (St. Joseph’s)– were selected following interviews conducted as per global UNIQLO hiring standards.
Officials said both candidates have been offered permanent positions with an annual package of Rs 10 lakh, along with opportunities for career progression to senior leadership levels.
The development has been attributed to ongoing efforts by the Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland under the vision of chief minister Neiphiu Rio and leadership of Abu Metha, aimed at strengthening international collaborations and positioning Nagaland as a hub for skilled human resources.
To bridge skill gaps, the Centre of Excellence for Foreign Languages (CoEFL) has been established to train youth for global employment opportunities. Officials informed that over 190 candidates have already been placed overseas through the initiative.
UNIQLO engagement is expected to open further avenues for employment and collaboration, particularly with Japan, recognising the growing demand for skilled Naga workforce in the global market.