Japanese lectures are increasingly popular among Indonesian students, here's why

JAKARTA - The Sakura country alias Japan is increasingly becoming one of the educational destinations that Indonesian students are eyeing. Not only known as a country with rapid technological and innovative progress, Japan also offers a cross-cultural learning experience that is considered capable of expanding the perspective of the younger generation in facing an increasingly connected world.

This trend can be seen from the increasing interest of Indonesian students to continue their higher education in Japan. For many students, studying abroad is no longer just about obtaining an academic degree, but also an opportunity to build an international network to develop the ability to adapt in a global environment.

Recently, nine high school students from various regions in Indonesia have the opportunity to continue their undergraduate studies at a number of Japanese universities. They will study various fields of science, ranging from aerospace engineering, computer science, agriculture, to public policy and education.

The Minister of Information and Culture of the Japanese Embassy in Indonesia, Daisuke Hoshino, assessed that the experience would be an important resource for students in facing the future.

"The students' study period in Japan will not only provide academic experience, but also the opportunity to get to know various perspectives and broaden their horizons. We hope that this experience will be a valuable asset in the students' future journey," he said at the Fast Retailing Foundation Scholarship Program Ceremony in Jakarta, recently.

The relationship between Indonesia and Japan in the field of education has indeed been going on for many years through various student exchange programs, cooperation between universities, to the provision of scholarships.

The cooperation is considered to play an important role in opening access to international education for the Indonesian young generation.

Director of the High School of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Yuli Haryanto, said that the education partnership between the two countries continues to grow in line with the increasing need for talent who are able to compete globally.

"We hope that this program can contribute to social development through student growth while further strengthening educational cooperation between the two countries," said Yuli.

Although the interest to study abroad continues to increase, the biggest challenge that many Indonesian students still face is the cost of education. Not a few students who have achieved excellence have had to give up their ambitions due to financial constraints.

Therefore, the presence of various scholarship programs is one of the factors that opens wider opportunities for students from various backgrounds to access global education.

President of the Fast Retailing Foundation, Tadashi Yanai, believes that learning experiences in Japan can help young generations understand the world from a broader perspective.

"Studying in Japan is not only about adding knowledge in the field of interest, but also about getting to know different ways of thinking and values. Today, the world is increasingly connected," he said.

This scholarship is a full educational assistance that does not need to be returned (non-repayable grant), covering tuition fees, living expenses, and various supporting needs during the study abroad period.

In addition, this program implements a funding scheme that has been confirmed before the university admission process, so that students can apply to the university with the certainty of financial support if accepted.

Furthermore, the FR Foundation first held a scholarship program in Vietnam in 2022 and expanded to Indonesia in 2025. The high interest of Indonesian students to continue their studies in Japan can be seen because more than 600 applicants last year.

Students who are registered also come from various regions in Indonesia, ranging from major cities on the island of Java to Sulawesi, Sumatra, and Papua. After going through a rigorous selection process, nine students were selected as the first scholarship recipients.

The scholarship recipients will study various fields of study, including aerospace engineering, materials science, agriculture, marine biology, computer science, public policy, economics, and education.

Students are scheduled to begin studying English-language undergraduate programs at various universities in Japan in the fall of 2026.

This year, a similar program will also be opened in the Philippines. In the future, the FR Foundation will continue to support young generations in developing their potential through wider access to education.