Why Marugame Udon Became So Successful in Indonesia: The Power of Local Adaptation

April 15, 2025 • Berita • by Erika Okada

Why Marugame Udon Became So Successful in Indonesia: The Power of Local Adaptation

The Sanuki udon chain Marugame Udon, originally from Japan, has achieved remarkable success in Indonesia. Since opening its first store in Jakarta in 2013, the brand has expanded rapidly, reaching 100 locations in just under a decade. Today, Marugame Udon ...

Hiring Indonesian Drivers: A Guide to the “Specified Skilled Worker” Program in Japan’s Logistics Industry

April 12, 2025 • Knowledge, Business • by Reina Ohno

Hiring Indonesian Drivers: A Guide to the “Specified Skilled Worker” Program in Japan’s Logistics Industry

The Japanese automotive transport industry is facing a chronic labor shortage. Especially in rural areas and small-to-medium-sized transport companies where the aging population is most evident, the recruitment of foreign talent is accelerating. Among the ...

A Comprehensive Guide to Indonesia’s Energy Business: Market Trends, Policies, and Investment Opportunities

April 11, 2025 • Berita • by Erika Okada

A Comprehensive Guide to Indonesia’s Energy Business: Market Trends, Policies, and Investment Opportunities

Indonesia is the largest market in Southeast Asia, with a population of more than 280 million people. As the economy continues to grow, energy demand in Indonesia is rising rapidly, especially for electricity and fuel. At the same time, the Indonesian go ...

Success Stories of Japanese Brands and Products in the Indonesian Market

April 9, 2025 • Business, Case Study • by Erika Okada

Success Stories of Japanese Brands and Products in the Indonesian Market

For Japanese companies looking to expand overseas, Indonesia represents an extremely attractive market due to its status as the largest economy in Southeast Asia with a population exceeding 270 million people. In fact, Japanese brands spanning various ind ...

Before It’s Too Late: The Digital Transformation Strategy Your Company Cannot Avoid

April 8, 2025 • Digital Transformation • by Dessrimama

Before It’s Too Late: The Digital Transformation Strategy Your Company Cannot Avoid

The Urgency of Digital Transformation for Traditional Businesses For decades, many successful companies operated with tried-and-true business models. However, in today’s digital age, even the most traditional industries are facing an adapt-or-die scena ...

Hospitals in Indonesia: A Complete Medical Guide for Expats and Business Travelers

April 6, 2025 • Business • by Reina Ohno

Hospitals in Indonesia: A Complete Medical Guide for Expats and Business Travelers

Introduction: Navigating Indonesia’s Healthcare Landscape For Japanese expats, business owners, and long-term residents, understanding Indonesia's medical system is crucial for a safe stay. While healthcare quality varies significantly between urban an ...

Complete Guide to Life as an Expat in Jakarta and Cikarang, Indonesia (2025 Latest)

April 5, 2025 • by Reina Ohno

Complete Guide to Life as an Expat in Jakarta and Cikarang, Indonesia (2025 Latest)

For Japanese nationals about to begin life as an expat in Indonesia—especially in Jakarta or Cikarang—many questions and concerns may arise about daily living and how work is conducted on the ground. From how to obtain a visa and find housing to using ...

Things to Watch Out for When Outsourcing Systems to Overseas Offshore Development Vendors

April 4, 2025 • by Dennis Timothy T

Things to Watch Out for When Outsourcing Systems to Overseas Offshore Development Vendors

Offshore development has become a go-to strategy for businesses aiming to reduce costs while gaining access to a global pool of skilled developers. Countries such as India, Indonesia, and Vietnam are increasingly popular due to their competitive labor rat ...

The Impact of Trump’s Reciprocal Tariffs on Indonesia as a Developing Nation

April 4, 2025 • Business, Case Study • by Yutaka Tokunaga

The Impact of Trump’s Reciprocal Tariffs on Indonesia as a Developing Nation

What Are Trump’s Reciprocal Tariffs and What Is Their Purpose? In April 2025, President Donald Trump launched a sweeping economic maneuver under the banner "Make America Rich Again." At its core lies a disruptive trade policy: a universal 10% baselin ...

Is Gambling Prohibited in Indonesia? A Closer Look at the Legal and Cultural Reality

April 2, 2025 • Intermezo, Knowledge • by Erika Okada

Is Gambling Prohibited in Indonesia? A Closer Look at the Legal and Cultural Reality

For Japanese and foreign companies operating in or planning to enter Indonesia, understanding the country’s legal framework and cultural values is essential. Among the most strictly regulated areas is gambling , which is prohibited due to complex religi ...

Money Lending and Borrowing in Indonesia: Cultural Insights and Important Tips

April 1, 2025 • Berita • by Erika Okada

Money Lending and Borrowing in Indonesia: Cultural Insights and Important Tips

For Japanese business owners and managers operating in Indonesia, financial interactions with local staff and business partners are an unavoidable reality. Many may feel unsure about how to respond when employees or associates ask to borrow money. In Indo ...

Is Adult or Pornographic Content Banned in Indonesia? A Closer Look

March 31, 2025 • Intermezo, Knowledge • by Delilah

Is Adult or Pornographic Content Banned in Indonesia? A Closer Look

Indonesia, home to the world's largest Muslim population, is a nation where religious values and cultural norms heavily influence daily life. Among the most tightly regulated topics is adult content or pornography—strictly prohibited both legally and so ...

The Reality of Indonesia Poverty: From Urban-Rural Gaps to Structural Poverty

March 30, 2025 • Intermezo, Knowledge • by Reina Ohno

The Reality of Indonesia Poverty: From Urban-Rural Gaps to Structural Poverty

While Indonesia continues to experience economic growth, many people still live in poverty. Although less familiar to Japanese readers, about 8–9% of Indonesia’s population—over 24 million people—live below the national poverty line. Poverty is ...

Basic Understanding and Calculation of Personal Income Tax in Indonesia

March 30, 2025 • Knowledge, Business • by Erika Okada

Basic Understanding and Calculation of Personal Income Tax in Indonesia

For Japanese business owners and managers considering entry into the Indonesian market or expatriate assignments, it is essential to correctly understand local tax systems. In particular, Indonesia's personal income tax (Pajak Penghasilan Oran ...

A Complete Guide to Corporate Tax and Tax Compliance When Establishing a Local Entity in Indonesia

March 30, 2025 • Knowledge, Business • by Erika Okada

A Complete Guide to Corporate Tax and Tax Compliance When Establishing a Local Entity in Indonesia

For Japanese executives and managers setting up a local company (PT PMA) in Indonesia, this article provides a detailed explanation of Indonesia's tax system. In this article, we explain the corporate income tax (Pajak Penghasilan Badan), value-added tax ...

Why Lion Air Remains Unstoppable Despite Having the “Worst” Customer Service

March 28, 2025 • Berita, Business • by Yutaka Tokunaga

Why Lion Air Remains Unstoppable Despite Having the “Worst” Customer Service

"Delayed again?" "The check-in line is endless." "My luggage arrived damaged." "The cabin crew is so cold." If you have ever flown on a Lion Air domestic flight in Indonesia, chances are you’ve experienced at least one of these frustrations. On review ...

The Current State of Indonesia Digital Transformation and AI Adoption: A Comprehensive Explanation of Indonesia’s IT Development

March 25, 2025 • Knowledge, Business • by Delilah

The Current State of Indonesia Digital Transformation and AI Adoption: A Comprehensive Explanation of Indonesia’s IT Development

Indonesia, with its status as Southeast Asia’s largest population and economy, has seen rapid growth in its digital economy. However, challenges remain in the adoption of Digital Transformation (DX) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) , including regional ...

A Comprehensive Guide to Indonesia’s Education System, Compulsory Education, and Key Challenges

March 16, 2025 • Intermezo • by Erika Okada

A Comprehensive Guide to Indonesia’s Education System, Compulsory Education, and Key Challenges

Indonesia's education system, from early childhood (PAUD) to higher education (Pendidikan Tinggi), operates under a national curriculum. Compulsory education spans nine years (six years of elementary school and three years of junior high school), and the ...

Bluebird: The Ultimate Guide to Indonesia’s Largest and Most Trusted Taxi Provider

March 11, 2025 • Intermezo, Knowledge • by Reina Ohno (Translated by Yuliani Israela.)

Bluebird: The Ultimate Guide to Indonesia’s Largest and Most Trusted Taxi Provider

Since its inception in 1972, Bluebird (PT Blue Bird Tbk) has been the gold standard for safe and comfortable transportation in Indonesia. Headquartered in Jakarta, the company has evolved from a traditional taxi service into a diversified logistics and mo ...

The Current State of Cashless Payments in Indonesia – The Penetration of Cashless Apps into Society

March 11, 2025 • Intermezo, Business, Bisnis • by Erika Okada

The Current State of Cashless Payments in Indonesia – The Penetration of Cashless Apps into Society

In Indonesia, cashless payments have rapidly developed, and a lifestyle without using cash is becoming more common. This article will provide a detailed explanation of the types of major cashless payment apps in Indonesia, their market share, the spread o ...

A Comprehensive Guide to the Indonesian Education System and Culture

March 10, 2025 • by Reina Ohno

A Comprehensive Guide to the Indonesian Education System and Culture

School education in Indonesia has many features that differ from those in Japan. Compulsory education has been extended to 12 years, and a system is adopted where public, private, and religious schools coexist. In addition, the competition for university ...

Comprehensive Analysis of Indonesia Demographic: Average Age, Birth Rate, Life Expectancy, and Future Outlook

March 9, 2025 • by Reina Ohno

Comprehensive Analysis of Indonesia Demographic: Average Age, Birth Rate, Life Expectancy, and Future Outlook

Indonesia, with a population of approximately 280 million people, is the 4th most populous country in the world. This nation, home to diverse ethnic groups, cultures, and languages, has undergone rapid economic development and social transformation in rec ...

Nusantara (IKN): A Complete Guide to Indonesia’s New Capital City

March 6, 2025 • Berita, Business • by Erika Okada

Nusantara (IKN): A Complete Guide to Indonesia’s New Capital City

In 2024, Indonesia officially began relocating its capital from Jakarta to Nusantara, commonly known as IKN (Ibu Kota Nusantara). Moving the seat of government for a nation of 280 million people is a massive, historic undertaking. In this article, we prov ...

Surabaya: Indonesia’s Strategic Business and Cultural Hub in East Java

March 6, 2025 • Berita, Business • by Delilah

Surabaya: Indonesia’s Strategic Business and Cultural Hub in East Java

Essential Information About Surabaya Located on the eastern coast of Java Island, Surabaya is the capital of East Java and stands as Indonesia’s second-largest city after Jakarta. Historically a vital maritime trading hub, the city continues to thrive ...

The Critical Role of ISO 27001 (ISMS) in Offshore Development for Information Security

March 6, 2025 • Knowledge, Business • by Delilah

The Critical Role of ISO 27001 (ISMS) in Offshore Development for Information Security

As Japanese companies accelerate their global expansion, offshore development has become a popular strategy for software outsourcing, offering benefits like cost reduction and access to skilled IT talent. However, concerns about information security—suc ...

Pertamina:The Giant of Indonesia’s Energy Sector and Its Challenges

March 1, 2025 • Business • by Delilah

Pertamina:The Giant of Indonesia’s Energy Sector and Its Challenges

Company Overview: PT Pertamina (Persero) As a state-owned entity, Pertamina is committed to maintaining Indonesia’s energy security and self-sufficiency while pivoting toward "New and Renewable Energy" (NRE). Company Name: PT Pertamina (Perser ...

A Deep Dive into PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI): The Backbone of Indonesian Rail Transport

March 1, 2025 • by Delilah

A Deep Dive into PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI): The Backbone of Indonesian Rail Transport

PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) is a vital State-Owned Enterprise (BUMN) responsible for rail transportation across the Indonesian archipelago. With a long history and numerous transformations, KAI has evolved into a modern entity essential to the nation's ...

Traveloka: Indonesia’s Leading Travel Tech Unicorn

February 22, 2025 • Knowledge, Case Study • by Delilah

Traveloka: Indonesia’s Leading Travel Tech Unicorn

Traveloka, an Indonesian startup in the travel and tourism sector, has experienced rapid growth and is gaining prominence across Southeast Asia. Rumored to be a unicorn company valued at over $1 billion, this article provides an in-depth overview of Trave ...

Bakrie Group: An Overview of Indonesia’s Leading Pribumi Conglomerate

February 20, 2025 • Business • by Delilah

Bakrie Group: An Overview of Indonesia’s Leading Pribumi Conglomerate

Bakrie Group is one of the largest and most influential Pribumi (indigenous Indonesian) conglomerates in Indonesia. Founded in 1942 by Achmad Bakrie, the group has evolved from a local trading company into a diversified multinational powerhouse. Today, it ...

A thorough explanation of Sinar Mas, Indonesia’s giant conglomerate

February 20, 2025 • Berita • by Delilah

A thorough explanation of Sinar Mas, Indonesia’s giant conglomerate

Overview of Sinar Mas Group Sinar Mas Group is one of Indonesia’s most prominent conglomerates, operating across six key business sectors: pulp and paper, finance, real estate, food, telecommunications, and energy. With its headquarters in Indonesia, t ...

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