Indonesia, Japan explore deeper ties in higher education, science

hartono · Jan 15, 2026

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Indonesia’s Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Brian Yuliarto (right) receives Chargé d’Affaires of the Japanese Embassy Myochin Mitsuru in Jakarta on Wednesday (Jan. 14, 2026). ANTARA/HO-Kemdiktisaintek

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia and Japan have launched new talks to explore ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in higher education, science, and technology, officials said following a meeting in Jakarta on Wednesday, January 14.

Indonesia’s Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Brian Yuliarto highlighted the potential for collaboration during a meeting with Japanese Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Myochin Mitsuru, emphasizing opportunities for academic and technological partnerships.

“As a major economy, Indonesia sees strong potential for cooperation with Japan in higher education, business, and technology. We aim to elevate this partnership to new heights,” Yuliarto said in a statement on Thursday.

The minister stressed expanding student and lecturer exchanges, joint degree programs, and other cross-border academic initiatives as key areas for deepening cooperation between the two countries.

Myochin expressed interest in increasing Indonesian student enrollment in Japanese universities, part of broader efforts to improve the quality of global human resources through international education.

Indonesia and Japan have pursued human resource development through two primary schemes: one targeting professional workers and researchers, the other focused on students, aiming to meet industrial talent needs while offering cultural and academic experience.

The meeting also addressed collaboration in research and applied sciences, with goals to produce not only scientific publications but also practical and commercially viable innovations for industry.

Both sides reaffirmed commitment to align scientific and technological cooperation with national development and industrial priorities, agreeing to advance discussions through technical coordination talks in the coming months.

The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology said in its statement that deeper collaboration with Japan supports Indonesia’s goal of making higher education, science, and technology more impactful for society and national development.