Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Manpower is exploring a potential partnership with the government of Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the labor sector.

Secretary General of the Manpower Ministry, Cris Kuntadi, stated that this initiative also aims to support human resource development and ensure the legal and protected placement of Indonesian migrant workers.

"We believe that cooperation between Kumamoto Prefecture and Indonesia will grow stronger and deliver tangible benefits for both sides," Kuntadi noted in the ministry's official statement here on Wednesday.

He also expressed appreciation for the close relations between Indonesia and Japan, as well as the significant contributions of Indonesian migrant workers in Kumamoto.

As of October 2024, a total of 2,890 Indonesian citizens were recorded as working and studying in Kumamoto, making them the third-largest foreign community in the region.

“Indonesians in Kumamoto have made important contributions in sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, fisheries, and elderly care. The Indonesian government remains committed to safeguarding their rights and well-being,” he noted.

He also affirmed the ministry's readiness to expand collaboration through the development of training curricula tailored to the needs of Kumamoto's industries, providing Japanese language skills training, and organizing job fairs and business matching events.

Kuntadi noted that the cooperation will be directed to align with Japan’s Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) and the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) pathway.

“Indonesia has a pool of potential workers ready to be trained in accordance with Japanese standards. We are also able to draft a Letter of Intent (LoI) or Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the cooperation framework,” he stated.

In addition, the Manpower Ministry has already established partnerships with Miyagi and Mie Prefectures, which could serve as references for Kumamoto Prefecture in initiating similar agreements.

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Translator: Arnidhya, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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