Indonesian Gen Z Learns Japanese To Escape Poverty By Working In Japan | Money Mind | Jobs

Key Concepts

• Migrant Worker: An individual who migrates within a country or outside their native country to pursue work.
• Warung: A small family-owned business, often a food stall or small shop, common in Indonesia.
• LPK (Lembaga Pelatihan Kerja): A vocational training institution, in this context, a language training center for overseas employment.
• OMR (Upah Minimum Regional): Regional Minimum Wage, a benchmark for local salaries in Indonesia.
• Financial Strategy: Saras's calculated risk to invest in language training for higher overseas income.
• Intergenerational Support: The cultural expectation and personal desire to support parents and younger siblings.

The Challenge of Rural Indonesian Wages

In rural Indonesia, a factory job typically pays around $50 US a month, which is barely sufficient to cover basic necessities like rent, food, and school fees. This stark reality highlights the economic pressures faced by many young people in the region.

Saras's Family and Financial Struggles

Saras, a 20-year-old, lives in Japanese village with her mother. The family's sole source of income is a "warung," a food stall selling local dishes and snacks that operates through the night. This stall brings in under $10 US a day, which must cover rent, food, and education for a family of four. Saras feels a strong personal responsibility to alleviate her mother's burden and support her younger siblings' education. She states, "My reason for prioritizing my family is because my younger siblings are still in school. I consciously don't want my mother to bear all of that. So, I want to help with college fees and pesantren fees for my sibling."

The Inadequacy of Local Factory Work

Saras previously applied for a job at a local factory but quickly realized the financial returns were insufficient. She explained that without overtime, a factory job might yield a gross income of Rp 2 million (approximately $130 US). However, after deductions for petrol, snacks, and lunch (which is not provided), her net take-home pay would be only around Rp 1 million (approximately $65 US). She found this amount "very little, not comparable to the work," reflecting a common struggle for millions of Gen Z across Asia who face long hours, low wages, and rising costs that erode their paychecks.

A Radical Plan: Investing in Japanese Language Training

To significantly boost her family's income, Saras has embarked on a "radical plan": learning Japanese at a language center. This is a high-stakes investment, as the cost of the language course is equivalent to nine days of her family's entire income. Despite the financial strain, Saras views it as a crucial investment that could pay off immensely.

Strategic Choice: Japan vs. South Korea

Saras specifically chose to pursue work in Japan over South Korea due to better opportunities. She highlighted that after completing her training at an LPK (language training center), Japan offers interview tests every three to four months. In contrast, South Korea's exam is held only once a year, meaning a failed attempt requires waiting another full year. Saras concluded, "That's why I chose Japan, because the chances of departing are better, faster." Her classmates at the center are also young individuals seeking better job prospects in Northeast Asia. The center itself is run by a returned migrant worker who previously worked in South Korea, offering valuable insights.

The Importance of Language and Potential Income

The language center owner emphasized the critical role of language proficiency for overseas employment: "If you want to work in Korea or Japan, the most important factor is language. At least, first, to convince potential employers or service users that we are truly capable, and regarding work, God willing, we can adapt there."

The owner provided a comparison of potential earnings:

• South Korea: Around Rp 30-35 million (approximately $2,000-$2,300 US) per month.
• Japan: Around Rp 20-25 million (approximately $1,300-$1,600 US) per month, including overtime. He noted that these figures are "10 times the OMR (Regional Minimum Wage) here."

Saras believes that working in Japan could increase her income eight times compared to her local options. Her financial projection includes:

• Sending home: Rp 5 million (approximately $320 US).
• Living costs in Japan: Rp 2-3 million (approximately $130-$200 US).
• Savings: Rp 3 million (approximately $200 US).

High Stakes and Backup Plans

This endeavor is a high-stakes bet. If Saras fails to pass the language exam and secure an overseas job, her only remaining option would be a poorly paid local job. However, she has a pragmatic backup plan: "Maybe if I don't pass this year, I can work in a factory to add to the income. Because I eat with my mother. My entire salary would be for the house, I wouldn't use it for myself." This demonstrates her unwavering commitment to her family's financial well-being, regardless of her personal aspirations.

Driving Motivation: A Better Future for Her Family

For Saras, learning Japanese is not merely about acquiring a new skill; it's a high-risk financial strategy aimed at securing a better future for her family. She asserts, "So, whether I like it or not, I have to go abroad, and there's no coercion at all. It's truly my desire." She believes that staying in Indonesia would mean a prolonged struggle to save money, stating, "Even working for years, I probably wouldn't save enough if I stay here." Her ultimate goal is to ensure her mother can rest in her old age and her siblings can complete their education. "My goal is for my mother's life in her old age and for my siblings' schooling, because I don't want my mother to keep selling until she's old. I want her to rest; let me be the one to find the money. Because I'm still young, my journey is still long, I'm still strong."

Conclusion: A High-Risk, High-Reward Path

Saras's story exemplifies the profound challenges and bold decisions faced by young individuals in rural Indonesia seeking economic advancement. Her strategic investment in Japanese language training, despite its significant cost and inherent risks, represents a calculated move to leverage international labor markets for substantial income growth. Her deep-seated motivation to provide for her family, particularly her mother's future and her siblings' education, underscores the personal sacrifices and determination driving her pursuit of a better life abroad. This path, while fraught with uncertainty, offers the promise of transforming her family's financial landscape in a way that local opportunities simply cannot.