Indonesia explores skills development collaboration with Japan

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s Ministry of Manpower (Kemnaker) is exploring collaboration with Japan to improve human resource (HR) skills in line with the needs of the Japanese labour market.

Ministry Secretary General Cris Kuntadi said in a statement in Jakarta on Thursday that the exploration is part of preparations for the implementation of the Indonesia-Japan Employment for Skill Development Program (ESDP), which is still under discussion.

“The programme, planned to take effect in Japan in April 2027, could be an opportunity for Indonesian workers to gain work experience while developing their skills in Japan,” Cris said.

He said the ESDP could be an opportunity to improve the quality of Indonesia’s human resources through work experience and skills development in Japan.

“We see the implementation of the ESDP as an opportunity to improve the quality of Indonesia’s human resources, particularly through work experience, skills development, and understanding of Japanese technology and work culture,” he said.

One of the follow-up steps being taken by the ministry is discussion and preparation of a skills improvement programme for prospective ESDP participants before working in Japan, with the company AIDEM Inc.

AIDEM Inc. is a private company engaged in providing labour market information for Japanese citizens and foreign nationals.

In the meeting, AIDEM Inc. also has the potential to support the provision of information on job vacancies and the needs of Japanese companies, which can serve as a reference in preparing prospective ESDP participants from Indonesia.

“We see AIDEM’s experience and network as able to provide job vacancy information and serve as a potential bridge between the needs of Japanese companies and prospective ESDP participants from Indonesia,” Cris said.

Through this exploration, he continued, the ministry continues to prepare Indonesian workers to have skills that match the needs of the Japanese labour market.

“This step is expected to open opportunities for Indonesian workers to gain work experience while strengthening competencies relevant to developments in the world of work,” he said.