Central Java Opens Door to Japanese Investment, Workforce Training

RRI.CO.ID, Semarang - Central Java is strengthening its partnership with Japan as the provincial administration intensifies ties with Kagawa Prefecture to attract more investment and expand opportunities for its workforce.

The collaboration is expected to leverage Japan’s technological expertise while preparing Central Javanese workers for higher-level managerial roles abroad.

Vice Governor Taj Yasin Maimoen, popularly known as Gus Yasin, announced the province’s commitment after receiving an honorary visit from Kagawa Governor Ikeda Toyohito. He said the administration is pursuing a more aggressive open-door policy supported by streamlined licensing and fiscal incentives.

“We hope more Japanese industries will enter Central Java. We are ready to provide full support in the form of investment facilitation,” Gus Yasin said in Semarang on Saturday, January 24, 2026, as quoted by the Central Java Administration official website.

He explained that the province has prepared a number of strategic projects in renewable energy, manufacturing, integrated agriculture, fisheries, and sustainable tourism.

To ease investment, the provincial administration has implemented the Risk-Based Online Single Submission (OSS) system, simplifying licensing procedures. Investors are also being offered tax holidays, tax allowances, and exemptions from import duties on machinery and raw materials.

Japan has consistently ranked as one of Central Java’s largest investors, placing third overall. Between 2021 and 2025, Japanese investment in the province reached IDR 24.216 trillion, concentrated in industrial hubs such as Jepara, Batang, Semarang, Pemalang, and Kendal. Key sectors include power, gas, textiles, automotive, machinery, and electronics.

Beyond capital investment, cooperation is expanding into human resource development. The partnership is moving beyond entry-level placements to prepare Central Javanese workers for managerial positions in Japanese companies.

“The Kagawa Prefectural Administration has expressed interest in Central Java’s human resources. They hope that workers from Central Java will not only work for a certain period but also be trained to become head managers,” Gus Yasin said.

He noted that this confidence reflects international recognition of the work ethic of Central Java’s 245,000 annual vocational school graduates, who specialize in fields ranging from manufacturing and automotive to modern agriculture, tourism, and elderly care.

Governor Ikeda Toyohito praised the contribution of Indonesian workers, particularly the 4,000 from Central Java currently employed in Kagawa. He highlighted the sharp increase in migrant workers from the province, rising 52 percent from 3,760 in 2024 to 5,712 in 2025.

Ikeda assured that his administration would provide language training and support systems to ensure Indonesian workers can live safely and comfortably in Japan. He expressed hope that the number of Central Javanese workers in Kagawa would continue to grow as education and training improved. ***