December 10, 2025 | 12:35 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian government is considering granting visa-free entry for Japanese nationals following a request from the Japanese Embassy in Jakarta.
Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Yusril Ihza Mahendra said the proposal will soon be discussed at the government level.
“I will coordinate this immediately,” Yusril said on Tuesday, December 9, 2025.
Japan currently allows visa-free access for Indonesian citizens holding e-passports, making Tokyo’s request a matter of reciprocity. Yusril said Indonesia would continue to pursue balanced visa arrangements with partner countries.
“Hopefully, there will be progress in the near future,” he noted in a written statement.
While discussions are ongoing, Yusril urged Japan to better inform its citizens about simplified visa procedures for travel to Indonesia. “Many Japanese people I know are not aware that Indonesian visa applications can be submitted online,” he said.
Charge d’Affaires of the Japanese Embassy in Jakarta, Myochin Mitsuru, said visa requirements have contributed to a decline in Japanese tourist arrivals to Indonesia. Meanwhile, the number of Indonesians traveling to Japan has surged, driven in part by the weakened yen.
Indonesia now holds the highest number of migrant workers in Japan, further widening the gap in visitor flows. Mitsuru expressed hope that visa-free access would help restore balance. “We hope the Indonesian government can consider this policy for Japanese citizens,” he said.
The development comes after Indonesia recently agreed to a reciprocal visa waiver with South Africa. The agreement was finalized during a meeting between President Prabowo Subianto and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Merdeka Palace in October.
“Both presidents agreed on visa-free entry, so there will be no more visas. This is good news for all,” Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka said, as reported by Antara.
Dewi Rina Cahyani contributed to the writing of this article.
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