NEWS

2026.06.05

【Report】Hitotsubashi University Transnational Sociology Seminar Series was held! Dr. Yusy Widarahesty "Dreaming of a Better Life Journeys of Indonesian Migrant Workers to Japan"

On May 27, 2026, Dr. Yusy Widarahesty, a senior researcher at the Asia Japan Research Institute, presented her Monograph titled "Dreaming of a Better Life Journeys of Indonesian Migrant Workers to Japan" at the Transnational Sociology Program, Hitotsubashi University. The event was hosted by Professor Takenaka Ayumi from the faculty of social science, Hitotsubashi University and organized by Transnational Sociology Program, Hitotsubashi University.

Dr. Yusy presented the first three chapters of her book, Training, Hierarchy, and Harmony: Examining Pre-departure Strategy of Indonesian Migrant Workers to Japan. This presentation critically examines the Indonesia-Japan Technical Intern Training Program (TITP), positing that the bilateral discourse since the 1990s has legitimized the program by emphasizing a narrative of “technology transfer” over its actual labor implications. It further reveals that pre-departure discipline training and internal generational seniority frameworks are meticulously designed to instill compliance, effectively curtailing potential dissent and ensuring strict adherence to the program's objectives.

Pic: Poster of the event Right :Professor Takenaka Ayumi & Left :Dr. Yusy Widarahesty

The presentation was followed by a lively Q&A session. The audience members asked many interesting questions, including those related to the pre-departure mechanism for Indonesian migrant workers to destinations other than Japan, such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. Furthermore, the pre-departure conditions for female participants were also discussed. What were the responses to the new Ikusei Suro system? Are the semi-military-style pre-departure mechanisms known to Japanese companies, or were they designed based on requests from these companies? And there were many more questions.