The Ministry of Manpower is actively fostering cooperation with Japan in the nursing sector, focusing on facilitating the placement of Indonesian migrant workers. This initiative was highlighted during a meeting on Friday, August 2, 2024, between Secretary General Anwar Sanusi and Koji Kurusu, CEO of Azalee Group, representing the Japanese nursing industry.
Sanusi expressed optimism about the potential for substantial cooperation following the meeting with Japanese nursing industry representatives. Recognizing Japan’s acute shortage of nurses, he emphasized the importance of this partnership. “I understand that the demand for nurses, as mentioned, is very high,” Sanusi stated during the meeting held at the Manpower Ministry’s office in Jakarta. Given Japan’s aging population, strengthening ties in this area is crucial.
Additionally, Sanusi revealed that Indonesia and Japan are negotiating an extension to the Memorandum of Cooperation on Specified Skilled Workers (MoC SSW). This proposal was initially discussed in Tokyo last April with Fukuhara Nobuko, Director-General of the Residency Management and Support Department of the Immigration Services Agency of the Japanese Ministry of Justice.
At the Friday meeting, Koji Kurusu, CEO of the Azalee Group, a nursing care service provider, expressed keen interest in collaborating with the Indonesian government to address Japan’s nursing workforce crisis. He proposed increasing the number of Indonesian nurses in Japan and suggested areas for cooperation, including training programs, job creation, and technology exchange. Kurusu also offered to share Japan’s experiences in managing its aging population, underscoring the mutual benefits of such collaboration.
This initiative reflects Indonesia’s strategic approach to strengthening international cooperation in the labor sector, particularly in addressing global workforce challenges and enhancing the skills and opportunities for Indonesian migrant workers.
