Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous nation with 280 million people, half of whom are under 30, offers a large pool of young labor. As the second-largest source of foreign skilled workers for Japan, following Vietnam, Indonesia has caught the attention of the Japan Association for Construction Human Resources (JAC), which is actively promoting the appeal of Japan’s construction industry. Through grassroots efforts such as visits to technical high schools and job orientation sessions, JAC has been showcasing Japan’s construction technologies and safe working environments. These outreach activities culminated in a large-scale event where young Indonesians could experience firsthand the benefits of working in Japan’s construction sector. The initiative also involves collaborations with specialized construction trade organizations and local dispatch agencies to accelerate engagement with Indonesian youth.

Held at a massive convention center near Jakarta, the JAC-hosted event attracted approximately 100 representatives from high schools and universities across Java and Sumatra. The event featured hands-on demonstrations of scaffolding, rebar, and formwork, allowing participants to learn about Japanese safety standards and construction techniques.

Shouhei Sugita, a lawyer who participated as an expert on Japan's labor safety and health standards, praised the event as "groundbreaking on a global scale." He noted that having industry associations provide transparent, reliable information directly helps make the path to working in Japan clearer for foreign workers. "This also showcases Japan's intrinsic value in the global labor market, particularly its world-leading safety regulations," he added.

Anwar Sanusi, Secretary-General of Indonesia’s Ministry of Manpower, stressed the importance of developing skilled workers with the knowledge and abilities to meet international market demands, even as Indonesia continues to enjoy a surplus of labor. Citing traits such as "seriousness" and "diligence," he described Indonesians’ national character using Japanese terms, and looked forward to building a "bridge of mutual benefit and understanding" between Indonesia and Japan in human resource development. (2024/09/12)