RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ministry of Manpower is expanding opportunities for Indonesians to work in Japan through a strategic partnership with the Kagawa Prefectural Government.

The agreement aims to strengthen the Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) while ensuring higher standards of welfare and legal protection for participants.

The Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) was signed in Jakarta on Friday by Anwar Sanusi, head of the Manpower Research and Development Agency (Barenbang), and Kagawa Governor Ikeda Toyohito.

Anwar said the partnership represents a concrete step toward a more structured internship system that prioritizes the health, safety, and security of Indonesian youth abroad.

“Through this collaboration, we want to ensure that Indonesian interns depart with the competencies required by industry and work within a more structured and protected system,” Anwar said on Saturday, January 24, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

The agreement establishes a comprehensive framework for labor cooperation. It introduces streamlined deployment to improve recruitment and acceptance processes for Indonesian interns entering Japan.

Both governments are also committed to data transparency, enabling the regular exchange of labor market information and real-time statistics.

The pact also provides a mechanism for conflict resolution, offering a shared framework to address workplace issues or grievances interns face during their tenure.

Beyond the program’s duration, the partnership includes alumni empowerment initiatives to support career development and ensure that returning interns can translate their international experience into local economic contributions.

Governor Ikeda emphasized the vital role of Indonesian workers in Kagawa’s economy. Around 4,000 Indonesians are currently employed in the prefecture, including 1,463 technical interns and 1,161 specified skilled workers across various sectors.

“Therefore, Kagawa Prefecture is opening up opportunities for broader cooperation with Indonesia,” Ikeda said, praising the quality and dedication of Indonesian workers.

The partnership comes as Japan prepares to overhaul its foreign labor policies. Beginning in April 2027, the current internship system will transition into a “Training and Employment” system. The reform is expected to make Japan’s labor market, particularly in Kagawa, more accessible and transparent for Indonesian professionals, with a stronger focus on long-term skill development and flexible working conditions. ***