Indonesia Urged to Leverage Japanese Investment to Advance Technology and Skilled Labor
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JAKARTA, investortrust.id – Indonesia has the potential to join the ranks of developed economies by fully harnessing the long-standing economic relationship and technological investments made by Japan, according to Indonesian-Japanese Friendship Association Chair Rachmat Gobel.
Speaking on the sidelines of the World Expo in Osaka, Gobel emphasized that Indonesia’s large population gives it a comparative advantage. By sending workers to Japan for training, he said, the country could absorb advanced technological skills and strengthen its appeal to Japanese investors.
“Japan has the technology, but its population is shrinking. We must seize this opportunity. Let’s send our workforce to Japan to be trained,” Gobel said on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, during a visit to the Osaka Expo.
The Perhimpunan Persahabatan Indonesia–Jepang, or Indonesian-Japanese Friendship Association, which Gobel leads, plays a key role in strengthening bilateral cooperation in business, culture, and education. Gobel noted that trained workers would provide certainty for Japanese investors in Indonesia by ensuring a supply of skilled human capital.
Gobel drew parallels with China and Vietnam, which had earlier sent workers abroad to develop their industrial capacities. “By the time they opened their economies to global trade through the WTO, they had already built a skilled workforce and were ready to adopt new technologies,” he said.
Promoting Indonesia at World Expo Osaka
Gobel called on the Indonesian government to fully leverage the World Expo in Osaka to showcase the country and promote the country’s cultural heritage and regional strengths.
“This is a platform to showcase Indonesia’s philosophy and culture. With the new government in place, now is the best time,” he said.
The Osaka Expo 2025 spans 155 hectares and involves participation from 160 countries. Only 84 of them, however, have their own national pavilions. Organizers expect the event, which runs through October 2025, to draw some 28 million visitors. The expo’s theme, Designing Future Society for Our Lives, centers on sustainability and environmental harmony.
Indonesia’s pavilion, shaped like a traditional phinisi ship, carries the theme Thriving in Harmony, highlighting the intersection of nature, culture, and future development.
Visitors enter through a lobby adorned with traditional wooden masks before walking through a forest-themed gallery featuring indigenous plants and art installations of rare Indonesian fauna, including works by renowned artists like Nyoman Nuarta and Nasirun. Immersive rooms showcase the country’s natural and cultural richness, while other exhibits focus on traditional textiles and Indonesia’s future capital, Nusantara. The pavilion concludes with a short film by renowned Indonesian director Garin Nugroho and culinary showcases of Indonesian cuisine.
Throughout the six-month event, the pavilion will rotate regional exhibitions, allowing local governments to present cultural performances, artisan products, and investment opportunities. A dedicated business forum will also facilitate trade and investment discussions. Unlike previous expos led by the Trade Ministry, this year’s Indonesian presence is coordinated by the National Development Planning Agency, or Bappenas.
Learning from Japanese Innovation
Gobel, who also serves as Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, led a delegation of Indonesian media executives to the event. He toured leading Japanese company exhibits, including Panasonic and Sumitomo.
The Panasonic Pavilion featured an immersive showcase of technology and sustainability, built entirely from recycled electronics. Its futuristic vision focused on integrating artificial intelligence into daily life, enhancing human connection through technology. The Sumitomo Pavilion highlighted the group's innovations and environmental commitments.
“Recycled products can be premium too,” said Gobel, praising Panasonic’s pavilion for its innovation and environmental message.
He encouraged Indonesians to learn from Japan’s focus on quality and sustainability, urging collaboration that allows both countries to thrive in an era defined by innovation and environmental consciousness.