Led by Secretary General, Ministry of Social Affairs Delegation Conducts Best Practice Study in Japan

Ministry of Social Affairs delegation also explored cooperation in the fields of disaster management and inclusive services for vulnerable groups

FUKUOKA (November 9, 2022) - Government of Indonesia through the Ministry of Social Affairs is increasing cooperation with various parties in Japan in strengthening the social welfare agenda. Japan has made progress in disaster management and services for vulnerable groups.

Ministry of Social Affairs delegation was led by Secretary General Harry Hikmat. On the occasion, Harry stated that Indonesia is a country with a high frequency of disasters, both disasters due to volcanic, tectonic and hydro meteorological activities.

"In one year, there are more than 3,000 events. The Indonesian government works to overcome, prevent and mitigate disasters," Harry said. On the other hand, Japan is known as a country that has matured in disaster impact management and has successfully educated its citizens in overcoming disasters.

"At the direction of Social Minister Tri Rismaharini, we developed a social granary to bring logistical assistance closer to the disaster site," Harry said.

The Ministry of Social Affairs has collaborated with Japan, through the Chiba Institute of Science in disaster risk management. "We hope to establish closer cooperation and exchange ideas with the Japanese government, especially with the Fukuoka Provincial Government and Kitakyushu City Government," he said.

On this day, the delegation also had the opportunity to visit the child rehabilitation center in Kitakyushu and the ceramic company PT Sun Aqua Toto.  One of Toto's global product subsidiaries has made important progress in fulfilling the rights of persons with disabilities.

PT Sun Aqua Toto has hired 90 workers with disabilities out of 160 employees (65%). This exceeds the government's 2.3% quota for workers with disabilities.  Here, the group was received by PT Sun Aqua Toto President and CEO Emi Tanaka.

While visiting the Child Rehabilitation Service Center in Kitakyushu, the group was received by Vice President Yuko Tomoguchi. To Yuko, Harry stated that MoSA effectively implements case response through the ATENSI program, a social rehabilitation assistance program that uses three approaches, namely family, community, and residential.

"In 2022, this program has reached more than 250,000 beneficiaries and is still growing. However, we still need to improve the quality of our services to ensure the best social welfare for the community," he said.

Currently, the Ministry of Social Affairs manages 31 centers that serve social rehabilitation and services for vulnerable groups, not only limited to those who need social rehabilitation, but also a shelter for children with terminal illnesses.

"We are bringing some heads of centers on this visit, hopefully they can learn some lessons from the best practices of the Kitakyushu Government," he said.

Joining the group were Special Staff of Minister of Social Affairs for Human Resources and Program Development Suhadi Lili, Head of the "Kartini" Center in Temanggung Rachmad Koesnadi, Head of the "Abiyoso" Center in Cimahi Agung Hendrawan, Head of the "Handayani" Center in Jakarta Romal Uli Jaya Sinaga, Head of the "Phalamartha" Center in Sukabumi Cup Santo, and Associate Planner of the Planning Bureau Rabiah.

Public Relations Bureau

Ministry of Social Affairs RI