Jakarta, 4 September 2025 — The Indonesian Business Council (IBC), in partnership with the Ministry of Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection, successfully concluded a joint working visit to Japan on 19-26 August 2025. The visit delivered significant outcomes aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation and expanding opportunities for Indonesian workers through the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) program.
The outcomes of this visit reaffirm Indonesia’s role as a trusted partner for Japan and highlight the readiness of Indonesia’s labor pool to contribute meaningfully to Japan’s workforce. For Indonesian workers, the benefits of working abroad in Japan are clear. Net salaries in Japan range between IDR 15–20 million per month. In addition to financial rewards, working in Japan offers the opportunity to embrace values deeply embedded in Japanese society, such as discipline, honesty, and perseverance. These experiences not only improve the welfare of individual workers and their families but also contribute to a more skilled, values-driven workforce that can enhance Indonesia’s long-term competitiveness in the global economy.
For Japan, Indonesian labor helps to address its profound demographic challenges. An aging population and declining birth rate have led to labor shortages in key sectors such as hospitality, transportation, elderly care, and food processing–gaps that Indonesian workers can help fill. In response to its demographic challenges, Japan launched its Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) program to sustain its economy. The program offers more than 820,000 job opportunities through 2029. This presents a strategic opportunity for Indonesia. Indonesia has a large, young, and dynamic workforce, many of whom are graduates of high schools and vocational institutions. This makes the country well-positioned to participate in Japan’s SSW program, while also helping to reduce unemployment in Indonesia and increase the country’s foreign exchange earnings.
IBC is proud to lead this shared effort, helping to create and identify dignified employment opportunities for Indonesian workers while deepening the bonds of partnership and prosperity between Indonesia and Japan. This successful visit demonstrates that opportunities are not found by chance—they are created through foresight, preparation, and collaboration. As Japan continues to welcome international talent to support its economic needs, Indonesia is ready to respond with a skilled and competitive workforce.
IBC urges all prospective applicants to prepare diligently and to use official channels, such as the SSW program, to ensure transparency and legal protection throughout the process. Furthermore, IBC encourages all prospective applicants to carefully review the language and skill requirements of their target sectors to ensure they meet the necessary qualifications before applying. Applicants are also advised to be cautious of unverified recruitment agencies that provide vague or misleading information. Comprehensive and official details on the SSW scheme are available at https://www.ssw.go.jp/id/.