Viko Gara and Aril Aditian, two young Indonesian professionals, have demonstrated the power of cross-border collaboration by founding Nosuta, a startup in Fukuoka, Japan. The company focuses on bridging the gap between Indonesian forestry students and the growing need for skilled workers in Japan’s forestry sector. This initiative is part of the Japanese government’s Startup Visa program, which encourages foreign entrepreneurs to establish businesses in Japan.

Viko Gara and Aril Aditian have a proven track record in the Indonesian startup scene, including the successful development of an e-wallet application with over 5 million users, which won the Google Play App of the Year award in 2022. Drawing from their entrepreneurial experience, they launched Nosuta to connect Indonesian forestry students with job opportunities in Japan’s forestry industry, which is currently facing a shortage of skilled labor.

Nosuta Facilitates Job Opportunities for Indonesian Forestry Students in Japan

Nosuta seeks to match Japan’s demand for skilled forestry workers with Indonesia’s supply of qualified forestry graduates. Japan’s forestry industry needs approximately 20,000 skilled workers, while Indonesia graduates around 9,000 forestry students annually, many of whom are still looking for employment. Nosuta aims to provide these students with opportunities to work in Japan’s forestry sector.

As of 2022, Japan's forestry workforce had dwindled to about 42,000, a significant reduction from the 1980s. This decline has occurred as a result of the aging workforce and the need for modern forest management techniques. The shortage of skilled workers has become more pressing as 64% of Japan’s planted forests are over 50 years old, requiring specialized care and management.

Nosuta’s "Virtual University Operator" Concept Gains Traction

Nosuta has introduced the “Virtual University Operator” concept, offering a one-year curriculum designed for final-year forestry students. This program has been trialed at Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM), receiving positive feedback. The curriculum includes practical forest management training in Japan, intensive language courses, and direct access to forestry companies in Japan.

Indonesia’s Contribution to Japan’s Forestry Workforce

Indonesia’s forestry graduates are an untapped resource for Japan’s growing industry. Nosuta facilitates the placement of Indonesian students into forestry roles in Japan, providing them with international career opportunities while addressing Japan’s labor shortage.

As part of its efforts to equip students with relevant skills, Nosuta has partnered with Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang to develop a specialized curriculum tailored to the needs of Japan's forestry industry. This partnership will help Indonesian students be better prepared to enter the workforce in Japan, ensuring they have the practical and language skills required.

Japanese Forest Management Needs Increase as Aging Forests Demand Attention

Japan’s aging forests present a unique challenge to the country’s forestry industry. With many of the nation’s planted forests reaching 50 years of age, there is an urgent need for skilled workers to manage these areas. Nosuta is strategically positioning itself to address this challenge by providing Japanese companies with young, skilled Indonesian talent to assist in forest management.

Startup Visa Program Helps Nosuta Grow in Japan

Nosuta’s growth is supported by the Startup Visa program, which provides foreign entrepreneurs with the necessary resources to establish businesses in Japan. The company benefits from mentorship through Fukuoka Growth Next, where it receives support in scaling its operations and expanding its influence within Japan’s forestry sector.

PHOTO: JPNN

This article was created with AI assistance.