―The road to Startup Challenge―　Interview with JICA participants　No more hardships. We unite people for better life.　Vol.2

Mr. Radyan Putra Pradana (Pradana san), a JICA scholarship participant at Hiroshima University, along with other Indonesian students at the university, was chosen as one of the top 10 teams in the "Higashi-Hiroshima City Student Startup Challenge 2023".

We also welcome a team member, former JICA participant Mr. Reza Abdullah (Reza san), who completed his Master last September, and Mr. Muraoka, Director General of JICA Chugoku, who has experience working at the JICA Indonesia office, to have an interview session talking about the reasons why they applied for this Startup Challenge, their life in Japan, their Japanese language skills, and the future development of bilateral relations between Indonesia and Japan. It was a meaningful time, and we are pleased to share it with you in two parts!

Mr. Muraoka: Here in Higashi-Hiroshima City, a high percentage, nearly 5% of the population, are foreign residents. Under these situations, do you have any ideas on how to make Higashi-Hiroshima City a more friendly city with better mutual understanding?

Pradana san: I think this town is very unique. The use of high technology is combined with a traditional festival called the Sake Festival, as they run unmanned buses. You also see many foreign residents. At the city hall, there were displays not only in English but also in Indonesian. I was surprised.

Mr. Muraoka: There was also a sake festival in Saijo, Higashi-Hiroshima City in October. Did you go?

Pradana san: Yes, I did.

Reza san: There was also the Higashi-Hiroshima International Festa.

Mr. Muraoka: Yes, JICA also had a booth. We recently held a "Seminar on Easy Japanese Language". The theme of the seminar was how Japanese people can communicate comfortably with foreign residents. Have you ever felt a language barrier in your daily life in Japan?

Pradana san: In my opinion, Japanese people are less likely to talk to me actively. I feel that they are not interested in us. When we are interested, we actively talk to them, but when it comes to Japanese, it is difficult to talk to them because we think they may not understand what we are saying, which creates a communication barrier.

Ms. Fujiwara: I think Japanese people are just shy even though they are interested in you. They have learned English since elementary school and can speak basic English, but they have few opportunities to use it, so I think they just cannot speak with confidence.

Mr. Muraoka: Here in Higashi-Hiroshima City, there are foreign nationals from just under 100 countries. Some of them are not native English speakers. That is why we are trying to utilize "easy Japanese". We have heard that there are many foreign residents attending local schools. We hope to promote more communication between Japanese and foreign residents and make the city a more comfortable place to live.

Mr. Muraoka: This year (2023) was the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Indonesia. What are your expectations for the relationship between the two countries?

Pradana san: There is a very strategic partnership between Indonesia and the Japanese government between the nations, and I am participating in JICA's SATREPS project. In the project, we are studying the design of technology to cool buildings without consuming energy, and I can participate in the project because of this. I believe it is thanks to the strategic partnership that I can participate in the project. I believe that Indonesians who work as ‘Ginou-Jisyusei’ or ‘Tokutei Ginou-Jisyusei’ also have the opportunity to further improve their skills.

Reza san: That is a very difficult question. I feel like a presidential candidate.
“taihen desuga omosiroidesu” (in Japanese)
“It’s difficult but interesting”(in English)
As one who was a JICA participant, I mentioned startups, but how about organizing a JICA-sponsored startup competition, where JICA presents a current problem and participants provide ideas to solve it. And by continuing the competition every year, we can make it a prestigious event. This would provide solutions to problems not only in Japan, but also in other Asian countries, and I believe that it will continue to build friendly relations beyond national borders.

Mr. Muraoka: The skills you have learned at Hiroshima University and your active participation in the Startup Challenge will contribute to the city of Higashi-Hiroshima together with us. I am sure your experience will return the favor, and we will strive to do the same for each other.