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Over the past year, there has been a significant increase in inquiries regarding the recruitment of Indonesian workers. There are several reasons for this trend, one of the major factors being the growing difficulty in sourcing talent from Vietnam.

In such cases, we are frequently asked questions about the characteristics and personalities of Indonesian workers, such as “What kind of people are Indonesians generally?”, “Do they fit into Japanese workplace environments?”, and “What are their personalities like?”

Many Indonesians are known to be sincere, diligent, and capable of working earnestly and steadily. They often have a positive impression of Japan, which contributes to their adaptability to Japanese workplaces.

Based on this premise, we have compiled an overview of the typical characteristics and personality traits of Indonesian talent. We hope this information proves helpful for companies considering hiring Indonesian workers.

Background to the Growing Attention on Hiring Indonesian Talent

In the past one to two years, the labor dispatch business from Indonesia to Japan has gained significant attention. While Vietnam still accounts for the largest absolute number of foreign workers in Japan, Indonesia currently shows the highest growth rate in terms of labor supply.

The Slowdown in Labor Dispatch from Vietnam

Vietnam, the largest source country for technical intern trainees, has been experiencing a decline in applicants. In the first half of 2024, 32,000 new trainees entered Japan from Vietnam, marking a 20% decrease compared to the same period the previous year. According to Mr. Diep, Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Manpower Supply (VAMAS), “Until now, Japan and Taiwan were the primary destinations for employment, but recently, more options have become available.”

Reference: Nikkei Inc. “Decline in Technical Interns Coming to Japan—Vietnam’s Shift Away from Japan”

Over the past one to two years, we have received an increasing number of inquiries from recruitment agencies involved in labor dispatch from Vietnam. As stated in the article above, various factors have made labor dispatch from Vietnam more challenging. These inquiries often center around whether it is possible to shift their base of operations from Vietnam to Indonesia.

One contributing factor is the rising wages within Vietnam. Even when job postings are made public, it has become difficult to attract applicants. Additionally, the recent depreciation of the Japanese yen has further discouraged interest.

Although wages in Japan are still generally higher than those in Vietnam, harsh working conditions in Japan—widely shared on social media—have become another reason why recruiting talent from Vietnam is becoming more difficult.

Indonesia’s Population of 300 Million Draws Attention

Indonesia’s population continues to grow. In 1980, the population was approximately 147 million; by 2020, it had reached 273.5 million. It is expected to surpass 300 million in the 2030s. According to forecasts, the population will peak around 2065 at approximately 337 million.

Of particular note is the proportion of young people within the population. According to Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the median age in Japan is about 48.4 years, whereas in Indonesia, it is about 31 years, indicating that Indonesia is a very young country. As of January 2022, the working-age population accounted for 70.7% of the total population, or approximately 190 million people.

Although wages are already trending upward in Jakarta, it is still common in rural areas for monthly income to be around ¥10,000–¥20,000 (approximately USD 64–128 at an exchange rate of ¥156/USD). Given this disparity, it is natural for many individuals to aspire to earn money by working in Japan.

Advantages of Hiring Indonesian Talent in Japan

A Positive Impression of Japan (and Japanese People)

A quick internet search reveals many articles describing Indonesia as a “pro-Japan” country. While there is no strict definition of this term, surveys conducted by various research organizations often show that Indonesians have a favorable impression of Japan. This likely explains why Indonesia is frequently referred to as a Japan-friendly nation.

Given this positive perception of Japan, many Indonesians aspire to work there.

Being able to work in a country one likes serves as a strong motivator, helping individuals maintain high levels of motivation. Naturally, this motivation often leads to high performance among such individuals.

Gentle and Easy to Communicate With

Indonesians are generally known for their warm demeanor, frequent smiles, and strong communication skills.

Since work is fundamentally a cooperative effort conducted in teams, having strong communication skills is a major advantage in team-oriented environments. This ability enables Indonesian workers to deliver strong performance within teams.

These personal characteristics of Indonesians shine not only in service industries but also in clerical work. They are often individuals who help brighten the workplace atmosphere.

Diligent and Hardworking

Many Indonesian workers are capable of diligently handling even routine or repetitive tasks. In fact, many of them excel particularly in such roles.

Furthermore, Indonesians who study Japanese and choose to come work in Japan often exhibit an even greater sense of diligence and a strong work ethic.

When employers provide appropriate feedback to such hardworking Indonesian employees, they can quickly understand tasks and show rapid growth. One important note is that Indonesians generally dislike being reprimanded in front of others. Therefore, even if the feedback is constructive, it is advisable to deliver it privately whenever possible.

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Challenges When Hiring Indonesian Talent

Variability in Japanese Language Proficiency and the Need for Training

Although Indonesians planning to work in Japan typically study the Japanese language in their home country beforehand, they are, understandably, not at the level of native speakers upon arrival.

As you may know, Japanese is famously difficult to master due to its use of hiragana, katakana, and kanji, as well as the complexities of honorific and humble language, and various grammatical particles. Even for native Japanese speakers, few consciously apply grammatical rules when speaking.

It is therefore difficult for Indonesian workers to achieve complete fluency through pre-departure training alone. This highlights the importance of having a system in place that supports ongoing language learning even after they begin working in Japan.

Cultural and Religious Differences in Workplace Adaptation

There are significant cultural differences between Japan and Indonesia. Many Indonesians who come to work in Japan are Muslim.

Muslims observe various important religious rules and customs, and adhering to these is extremely important in their daily lives.

For example, Muslims do not eat pork or consume alcohol. Being considerate of such dietary practices is essential. Respecting each other’s cultures and creating a comfortable workplace for Indonesian employees who have come a long way to work in Japan will, in the medium to long term, benefit both the employees and the employers.

Support Systems at Receiving Companies

When accepting talent from Indonesia, technical intern trainees are generally supported by supervisory organizations to a certain extent. However, when accepting Indonesian workers under the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) program, the receiving companies must establish a sufficient support system on their own.

Arriving in a foreign country for the first time can be overwhelming. Tasks such as paying utility bills, accessing the internet, purchasing and paying for mobile phones, and handling administrative procedures at city or ward offices can be confusing.

Therefore, whether or not the employer has a robust support system in place to assist Indonesian workers with various life-related procedures is a critical factor in ensuring successful integration.

If you have any questions or concerns after reading this article, please ask them below.
We will respond within a couple of days.

Number of Indonesians Engaged in Each Specified Skilled Worker Sector

Industries with a High Number of Indonesian Workers

Based on our analysis of the “Tables 1, 2, and 3 (PDF)” on the number of foreign residents under Specified Skilled Worker (i) status as of the end of June 2024, the number of Indonesian residents by industry is as follows (in descending order):

• Nursing care: 9,760 persons
• Food and beverage manufacturing: 9,134 persons
• Agriculture: 8,514 persons
• Manufacturing of industrial products (formerly classified as foundry, industrial machinery, and electronics-related manufacturing): 7,028 persons
• Construction: 3,075 persons
• Fisheries: 2,452 persons

Compared with Vietnamese residents, Indonesians are more frequently employed in sectors such as nursing care, shipbuilding and marine industries, agriculture, and fisheries.

C2 (Participation in business meetings and purchasing goods): $230
C19 (After-sales service) / C20(Installation and repair of machinery): $300
D2 (Participation in business meetings and purchasing goods (1-year validity)): $380
E23/E24/E25 (Work VISA): $1,500

Recommendation for Hiring Indonesian Talent in Japan

We believe that 2025 will be a year in which both the country of Indonesia and Indonesian workers as a labor force will receive significant attention in Japan.

This implies that more companies will begin to post job openings aimed at hiring Indonesian employees. As the number of Indonesian workers in Japan continues to grow, it is inevitable that various issues and challenges will also arise.

However, Japan is already experiencing severe labor shortages in many sectors, and some industries are becoming increasingly dependent on foreign workers. For companies seeking to better integrate and collaborate with the growing population of Indonesian employees, please feel free to contact us for information sharing, tips, and best practices.

For Those Interested in Starting a New Business in Indonesia

No matter what entry form you are considering, please don't fixate only on that entry method. In Indonesia, where entry barriers are high, we recommend entering the market by managing risks and taking careful steps.