TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The rumor that Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) would be blacklisted from entering Japan starting in 2026 has recently gone viral on social media. The speculation is believed to have stemmed from a series of criminal cases and disruptive behavior involving Indonesian nationals (WNI) in Japan.
Responding to the circulating news, the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo issued a clarification. According to their statement, the Japanese government has never introduced such a ban.
"The Japanese government has never conveyed such a matter, and this issue is not part of any official discussion between the Indonesian and Japanese governments," the embassy said in a statement received in Jakarta on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, as reported by Antara.
Requirements to Work in Japan
The requirements for working in Japan differ depending on the employment scheme. These include internship programs, the Specific Skilled Worker (SSW) scheme, government-to-government (G-to-G) cooperation, and others.
In addition to these general programs, individual employers may impose additional qualifications depending on the job field.
According to the official website of the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency (BP2MI), those holding an SSW visa are eligible to work in Japanese companies with the same rights and obligations as Japanese employees. The SSW program consists of two types: SSW Type (i) and SSW Type (ii).
Workers under SSW Type (i) must pass intermediate-level language and skills tests. They receive residence permits valid for up to five years, may not bring family members, and are allowed to change workplaces.
Those who previously participated in the Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) may qualify for this visa without additional testing.
SSW Type (ii) requires applicants to pass advanced skills tests in designated fields. This category allows for renewable residence permits, the ability to bring immediate family members, and flexibility to change employers.
The SSW program covers 14 sectors, including caregiving, building cleaning, machinery, electronics, construction, shipbuilding, automotive maintenance, aviation, hospitality, agriculture, fisheries, food processing, and food services.
How to Work in Japan Through SSW
Eight countries currently have access to the SSW scheme: Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, China, and one other Asian country.
Based on information from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), here is a step-by-step process for joining the SSW Type (i) program:
Foreign nationals who have completed the TITP are exempt from language and skills tests. New applicants must pass both.
Candidates can apply directly to companies or through licensed recruitment agencies.
Once accepted, workers sign a contract with the receiving company.
Before departure, workers attend orientation and health screenings.
The receiving company applies for a Certificate of Eligibility on the worker’s behalf.
Japan’s immigration office reviews and issues the certificate.
This document is submitted to the Japanese Embassy or Consulate for visa processing.
After visa issuance, workers receive a residence card.
Upon arrival, they attend further orientation, register as residents, open bank accounts, and secure accommodation.
Prospective SSW workers must be at least 18 years old, have not resided in Japan for five or more years under SSW status, and must not pay any form of guarantee fee or sign a contract that includes penalty clauses.
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