Indonesia-Japan Work & Study Agreements: The Complete 2026 Guide
🇯🇵 日本語要約
インドネシアと日本の間で結ばれた技能実習・特定技能・EPAに関する協定をわかりやすく解説する記事です。
Indonesia-Japan Work & Study Agreements: The Complete 2026 Guide
Indonesia's community in Japan has grown sharply — 230,689 people as of June 2025, the largest Muslim-majority-country community in the country. Unlike some of Japan's newer labor agreements, Indonesia's relationship with Japan runs unusually deep: a full economic partnership agreement since 2007, plus the newer TITP and SSW frameworks most people are actually searching for today. This guide lays out all of them clearly.
Quick Answer: Your Doors Into Japan
| Route | Signed | Who It's For |
|---|---|---|
| EPA (Economic Partnership Agreement) | August 20, 2007, in force July 1, 2008 | Nurses and certified care workers specifically |
| TITP (Technical Intern Training) | Longstanding, via Sending Organizations | Entry-level structured training |
| SSW (Specified Skilled Worker) | June 25, 2019 | Semi-skilled workers, sector-tested |
| University/language school | Standard visa system | Students |
The EPA — Indonesia's Oldest Japan Agreement
Signed: August 20, 2007; in force since July 1, 2008 — this was Japan's broader economic partnership with Indonesia, but it carries a specific labor mobility provision most people don't realize exists: a dedicated pathway for nurses and certified care workers to work in Japan, similar to the EPA arrangements Japan later signed with the Philippines and Vietnam.
This is a genuinely different door from TITP/SSW — it's older, has its own qualification requirements (typically a nursing or caregiving certification from Indonesia), and leads toward Japan's own national nursing/care-worker licensing exams over time.
Technical Intern Training Program (TITP)
TITP recruitment from Indonesia runs through Sending Organizations (SO) — accredited institutions supervised on the Japan side by JITCO and OTIT, and coordinated in Indonesia with the Ministry of Manpower (Kemnaker) and KP2MI/BP2MI.
Typical eligibility (confirm current specifics with your SO)
- Age generally 18–27
- Minimum height commonly cited around 150cm (women) / 160cm (men)
- No color blindness, no criminal record, non-smoker in many program listings
⚠️ These physical and background criteria vary somewhat by specific SO and host program — always confirm the exact current requirements with your accredited Sending Organization rather than assuming every listing uses identical numbers.
⚠️ TITP itself is being replaced entirely by a new system called Ikusei Shuro from April 2027. If TITP is your planned route, read our Ikusei Shuro transition guide to understand how this affects your timeline.
Specified Skilled Worker (SSW)
Signed: June 25, 2019 — a Memorandum of Cooperation between Japan and the Government of the Republic of Indonesia establishing the framework for proper operation of the SSW status of residence.
How Indonesians access SSW
The P-to-P verification system
Every job order for an Indonesian worker must be verified through the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo (KBRI Tokyo) or the Consulate General in Osaka (KJRI Osaka), depending on where the Japanese employer is located. This verification requirement was formalized under Ministerial Decree No. 270 of 2024, specifically to give the Indonesian government accurate, verifiable data on its placed workers (PMI) for protection purposes.
The Two Licensed Channels, Clearly Distinguished
| Sending Organization (SO) | P3MI | |
|---|---|---|
| Covers | TITP (magang/internship) | SSW, Engineering (skilled worker) |
| Oversight | JITCO/OTIT (Japan side), Kemnaker + KP2MI/BP2MI (Indonesia side) | KP2MI/BP2MI directly |
| Qualification level | Entry-level | Higher — typically D3/S1 degree or 2-3 years relevant experience for SSW |
| Japanese level typically required | Basic, built during training | Often N4 or N3 minimum |
| Financial guarantee | Regular compliance audits (every 6 months) | Must hold an active SIP3MI license and post a Rp 1.5 billion deposit as a responsibility guarantee |
Which Door Should You Choose?
| Your situation | Best route |
|---|---|
| Certified nurse or care worker | EPA pathway |
| No degree, want structured training first | TITP via an accredited Sending Organization |
| Already completed TITP, same field | Switch to SSW via KBRI recommendation — no new test needed |
| Have a degree or 2-3 years relevant experience | SSW or Engineering via a licensed P3MI |
| Want long-term flexibility | University/language school → standard work visa |
FAQ
Q: Do TITP alumni need to retake the skills test to become SSW?
No, if moving into the same field — you'll need a KBRI recommendation for the status change instead, supported by your contract, TITP certificate, E-KTKLN, and Portal Peduli WNI registration.
Q: What's the real difference between an SO and a P3MI?
An SO handles TITP (internship-style training), supervised jointly by Japan's JITCO/OTIT and Indonesia's Kemnaker/KP2MI. A P3MI handles SSW and Engineering placements for workers who already have skills or a degree, licensed directly by KP2MI/BP2MI with a much larger financial guarantee requirement.
Q: How many Indonesians are currently in Japan?
As of June 2025, approximately 230,689 — a sharp increase from previous years, and the largest Muslim-majority-country community in Japan.
Q: What does the job-order verification through KBRI/KJRI actually protect me from?
It creates a formal record connecting your specific placement to a verified employer, reducing the risk of being placed through an unverified or fraudulent arrangement — this is a real, checkable step you can ask about before accepting any offer.
*This guide reflects agreements and procedures as of mid-2026. Requirements, licensing, and verification processes can change — always confirm current information directly with KP2MI/BP2MI, KBRI Tokyo, or KJRI Osaka before applying.*
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