Minister Retno Says Indonesia Ready to Fulfill Japan's Need of Labor

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi said the country is ready to support Japan's high demand for workers amid efforts of Jakarta and Tokyo to explore strengthening bilateral cooperation.

“The two countries can work together to optimize Indonesia’s demographic bonus,” said Retno when giving a media briefing about her visit to Tokyo, Monday, March 6, 2023.

Japan is Indonesia's third-largest trading partner. Last year, the total trade between the two countries exceeded the pre-pandemic level, which hit US$42 billion or Rp644 trillion.

Indonesia and Japan are presently discussing the amendment protocol to the Indonesia-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (IJEPA) in order to tackle trade barriers and expand access to superior products of the two countries.

Retno hoped for Japan's support to improve capacity and access for Indonesian skilled workers through Japanese language training at various vocational training centers in the country.

According to her, this HR development cooperation needs to be directed to support the development of the creative and digital economy, especially in the gaming industry and digital market. 

“I emphasize that the digital economy must be able to transform the economy and empower people,” Retno said.

Regarding investment, Retno and her Japanese counterpart discussed a number of potential partnerships in the transportation sector up to the new capital project of IKN. “Competitive investment will also greatly assist efforts to strengthen investment cooperation, I also conveyed that at the meeting,” the minister said.

In a meeting with Japanese Foreign Affairs Minister Hayashi Yoshimasha, Retno discussed the energy transition, in particular, the Asia Zero Emissions Community agreed upon by Indonesian President Joko Widodo and PM Fumio Kishida on the sidelines of the G20 Summit.

Retno Marsudi and Hayashi Yoshimasha also talked about strengthening legal, defense, and security ties, as well as regional issues of Indonesia's presidency in ASEAN and the Myanmar crisis.

DANIEL A. FAJRI

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