JP-MIRAI conducted a study tour from June 15 to 22, 2025, with 12 members (2 from companies, 3 from local governments, 6 from the human resource business, and 1 from an individual) participating. On the last day of the tour, a round table meeting was held inviting representatives of sending organizations and international organizations, and 25 participants shared their understanding of the issues. Below are the presentations made at the debriefing session held on July 11.

1. sending and receiving of human resources in Indonesia from the perspective of supervisory bodies and registered support organizations

Ms. Nozomi Mizoguchi, GMT Cooperative

As for destinations for Indonesian migrant workers, many are sent to Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, and other Islamic countries due to physical distance, and Japan’s advantage is not so high yet. It is expected that Japan will shift its focus from sending students to the Middle East in the future. Currently, the main focus at sending institutions is on Japanese language education and introduction to culture, and it would be a better sending program if education on disaster prevention and crime prevention is also provided.

2. protection of Indonesian workers

(Individual Participation) Mr. Saichi Kurematsu

The number of disappearances has increased with the rapid increase in the number of technical intern trainees, especially in the construction industry, and the disappearance rate will be about 40% in 2023. When trainees sign a return home agreement, the reason for their disappearance is often not mentioned. In many cases, the reason for the disappearance is not mentioned in the return agreement, and the cause of the disappearance may not be investigated. We would like to see the establishment of a consultation service using Instagram, Facebook, etc.

3. human rights initiatives

Ms. Yori Wakasa, Ajinomoto Co.

Mismatches are occurring because it is unclear from the job postings what type of personnel are being sought. Zerofi’s efforts are negligible. It is possible to reduce the amount of expenses paid by the company, but it is essential to select a reliable sending organization that agrees with the Zerofi initiative. We hope that by fostering their careers as foreign human resources from the time they work in Japan to after they return to their home countries, they will be able to work with Japanese companies and play an active role in the workforce after they return to their home countries.

4. Cooperation with the Indonesian side

Manabu Takeuchi, International Exchange Division, Nagano Prefectural Government

The number of foreign residents in Nagano Prefecture as of the end of June 2024 was 44,834 (up 3,294 or 7.9% from the previous year), an increase of 1.4 times compared to 10 years ago. We will continue to promote initiatives such as donated lectures through industry-academia-government collaboration, acceptance of interns, and other means to promote knowledge of and interest in Japan and Japanese companies. We will use familiar information-gathering tools to communicate the attractiveness of regions that make people want to visit and live in Japan.

5. Round Table and JP-MIRAI Initiatives

JP-MIRAI Director Kenichi Shishido

Based on the problem recognition from the participants, a round table meeting was held on June 20, inviting officials from sending organizations and international organizations. Various issues were raised and discussed for the protection of human rights and the success of Indonesian workers sent to Japan. In response, JP-MIRAI explained its policy to contribute to solving these issues through the dissemination of the JP-MIRAI Portal, JP-MIRAI Assist (free consultation service), and fair and ethical recruitment (IJ-FERI).

JP-MIRAI will disseminate the information obtained from the study tour and the results of the dialogue with the participants to those concerned, and will also strengthen its own efforts to improve the reception of the study tour. JP-MIRAI will also strengthen its own efforts to improve the acceptance of the participants.

The next on-site academy (the 6th) is scheduled to be held in India (Delhi, Northeast). For further information, please contact the JP-MIRAI Secretariat.