Zainichi Indonesiajin: Assesing Socio Economic Opportunities and Challenges Toward The Vision of Golden Indonesia 2045

Abstract

Japan's declining demographics present opportunities for the Indonesian diaspora, including Zainichi Indonesiajin, whose population currently stands at 149,101, to secure residency permits. This group primarily consists of migrant workers classified as Specified Skilled Workers (SSW) and trainees (Kenshuusei). However, not all members of the diaspora meet the qualifications required for these categories. Many migrant workers, driven by the “Japan dreams” phenomenon, are often reluctant to return to Indonesia due to the significant wage disparities. This trend is particularly concerning given Indonesia’s growing need for skilled labor to support its development goals ahead of its centennial in 2045. This study seeks to explore the opportunities and challenges faced by Indonesian migrant workers in Japan within the context of Indonesia's labor market demands and its broader objective of achieving Golden Indonesia 2045. Employing a qualitative methodology and literature-based analysis, the findings indicate a rising number of migrant workers obtaining permanent residency in Japan, highlighting the risk of human capital flight. The outmigration of skilled labor presents a significant challenge for Indonesia, exacerbated by insufficient domestic employment opportunities and inadequate wages for returning migrants. However, remittances sent by these workers contribute to the economic growth at the micro-level. In the context of the Golden Indonesia vision, the state's failure to address and support the needs of skilled workers may exacerbate the outflow of talent, thereby hindering efforts to maximize the country’s human capital potential.