Japanese Investment Opportunities in Jakarta Projects to Boost Indonesia's Global Image

Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (Indef) economist Eko Listiyanto assesses that Japanese investment opportunities in DKI Jakarta’s strategic infrastructure projects, including transport infrastructure, can improve Indonesia’s image as an investment destination on a global level. “The value is certainly large because these are projects that require technology and international-level standards. Ultimately, if this progresses, it will bring a positive image to the international community that Indonesia also has integrated, internationally-quality public transport facilities,” Eko said when contacted in Jakarta on Wednesday. He said the global community itself appreciates transport infrastructure such as the MRT in Jakarta for being cleaner and neater. “So, in general, it will be good for bringing a positive image of Indonesia, and de facto we still need foreign investment for various sectors that naturally suit investor preferences. As it happens, this project is construction and transport, and if one of the targets is Japanese investors, I feel in the context of their credibility and so on, it will indeed help bring Indonesia’s image to the international level,” he said. Opportunities for Japanese investment in strategic projects in Jakarta continue to be pursued for an increase. This was stated by the Indonesian Ambassador to Japan, Nurmala Kartini Sjahrir, during a working visit to Jakarta from 4 to 6 June 2026. Ambassador Kartini explained that given the positive track record of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which has heavily invested in MRT phase 1 and the East Pluit Reservoir pump, Japan has great potential to continue its investment collaboration. In addition to meeting with DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung, Ambassador Kartini also conducted technical discussions and direct inspections of a number of Jakarta’s strategic projects. During a field visit to the Jakarta MRT facilities, Ambassador Kartini inspected the progress of phase 2A construction, which is expected to begin operations in 2027 and 2029. “The sister-province cooperation between Jakarta and Tokyo, which has been active since 1989, is reinforced by the presence of over 10,000 Japanese citizens working in 1,500 companies in the capital. Currently, there are six strategic projects in the DK Jakarta area that have great potential to absorb continued investment from Japan,” said Pramono Anung. The six strategic projects in the DK Jakarta area include: the Expansion of the Jakarta MRT Development; the Jabodetabek Transport Integration Mode Development Project (MITJ); the Sunter Intermediate Treatment Facility (ITF) Project; the construction of the NCICD Coastal Protection Embankment on the north coast; the East Pluit Reservoir Pump Polder System reinforcement project; and the LRT phase 2 development from Kelapa Gading to the Jakarta International Stadium. The visit is a follow-up to Governor Pramono Anung’s trip to Tokyo in late April 2026 and a meeting with Tokyo Metropolitan Governor Yuriko Koike. It is targeted that at the commemoration of Jakarta’s 500th anniversary on 22 June 2027, the underground commercial area of the Jakarta MRT will be inaugurated along with the connecting line from the HI Roundabout to Monas.