RRI.CO.ID, Tokyo – Indonesia and Japan have agreed to strengthen cooperation in human resource (HR) development and employment as part of the implementation of the two countries’ Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The agreement was reached during a meeting between Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment, Muhaimin Iskandar, and Japan’s Minister in Charge of a Society of Well-Ordered and Harmonious Coexistence with Foreign Nationals, Kimi Onoda, in Tokyo on Thursday, July 30, 2026.

According to a statement received on Tuesday evening, August 3, 2026, Muhaimin, reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to becoming Japan’s strategic partner by providing a professional, globally competitive workforce capable of meeting the needs of Japanese industries. Indonesia also seeks to strengthen cooperation through the alignment of vocational education, competency certification, and the development of a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) in priority sectors.

Muhaimin said President Prabowo Subianto has designated the development of a skilled workforce that meets global labor market demands as one of Indonesia’s national priority programs. He explained that the government applies the principle of safe and orderly migration by equipping prospective workers with professional skills, an understanding of Japanese work culture, and cultural adaptation before their departure.

In addition, the government is expanding training and competency development programs, particularly for senior high school and vocational high school graduates, to prepare them for international employment opportunities, including in Japan.

Both countries also agreed that the placement of Indonesian workers in Japan is not only intended to meet labor demand but also serves as a means of developing human capital. Through their work experience in Japan, Indonesian workers are expected to enhance their skills, acquire valuable knowledge and work ethics, and bring that experience back to Indonesia to support national development.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Ambassador to Japan Nurmala Kartini Sjahrir said that cooperation in human resource development is one of the key pillars of the Indonesia–Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. She expressed hope that closer collaboration would deliver tangible benefits for both countries while further strengthening the longstanding friendship between the Indonesian and Japanese people.

During the meeting, Muhaimin also conveyed his sympathy and condolences to the people of Japan, especially residents of Kumamoto, following the recent earthquake, and expressed hope for a smooth recovery process.

Earlier, on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 (the original text appears to contain a typo stating 2036), Muhaimin also met with Japan’s Minister of Justice, Hiraguchi Hiroshi. The meeting resulted in an agreement to strengthen labor cooperation through a legal, safe, and well-protected labor migration framework.

During that meeting, Muhaimin introduced the SMK Go Global program as part of the Indonesian government’s efforts to prepare vocational graduates with skills that meet the needs of global industries, including those in Japan. Hiraguchi, meanwhile, praised the bilateral relationship between Indonesia and Japan, which has continued to grow since diplomatic ties were established in 1958, particularly in the areas of employment and human resource mobility.

According to Japanese government data, the number of Indonesian nationals residing in Japan reached 266,069 by the end of 2025, an increase of 33.2 percent compared with the previous year.