RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia and Japan are strengthening labor cooperation through an expanded technical internship partnership aimed at addressing Japan’s workforce shortages while increasing skills development opportunities for Indonesian workers.

The agreement was formalized through the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between Indonesian Ministry of Manpower and the Government of Miyazaki Prefecture in Jakarta on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.

The partnership focuses on the development, deployment, and acceptance of Indonesian participants under Japan’s Technical Intern Training Program (TITP).

Indonesian Ministry of Manpower Secretary-General Cris Kuntadi described the cooperation as a strategic step in strengthening bilateral ties, particularly in workforce development and overseas internship opportunities.

“We appreciate the commitment of the Miyazaki Prefectural Administration to expand this cooperation, especially in human resource development and increasing placement opportunities for Indonesian technical interns,” he said, as quoted on the ministry's official website.

Under the agreement, both sides will cooperate on training programs, intern placement, and regular data and information exchanges to ensure the sustainability of the program.

The ministry is also preparing an information-sharing system to support career development for participants after completing their internships in Japan. This initiative comes as Japan, including Miyazaki Prefecture, faces demographic challenges linked to population decline and labor shortages.

He said one of the key priorities of the partnership is improving job matching to ensure Indonesian participants meet the needs of Japanese industries. The ministry is also expanding pre-departure training through government and private vocational training centers across Indonesia.

According to the ministry data, Indonesia sent 19.332 technical internship participants to Japan in 2025. By May 2026, the number had already reached 18.316, indicating continued strong demand during the first half of the year.

In Miyazaki Prefecture specifically, the number of Indonesian interns increased from 243 in 2025 to 285 in 2026.

Miyazaki Governor Shunji Kono welcomed the expanded cooperation, saying Indonesian workers had made significant contributions to the prefecture’s agricultural sector. “We see opportunities for Indonesian interns to contribute to more sectors in the future,” he said. ***