Establishing a Cross-Cultural Workforce Development Platform in Southeast Asia

The landscape of labor dynamics is rapidly transforming in the Asia-Pacific region. While economically mature countries like Japan grapple with a dwindling workforce, Southeast Asian nations are witnessing a remarkable surge in their young populations eager to seek employment abroad. This structural shift highlights the increasing mobility of international labor, a trend that is expected to accelerate in the coming years. Understanding this backdrop, AEON Delight Co., Ltd. has made significant strides to address these challenges by pushing for the establishment of a comprehensive platform aimed at recruiting and cultivating foreign talent from Southeast Asia.

A New Educational Initiative: PT.ADN Artisan Academy

In line with its strategy, AEON Delight is set to launch PT.ADN Artisan Academy in Jakarta, Indonesia, in June 2025. This educational institution, developed in partnership with PT.NEWTON EDUCATION CENTER, aims to integrate recruitment and training processes. The goal is to equip prospective workers with essential skills and knowledge before they arrive in Japan, thereby minimizing the acclimatization gaps post-recruitment. The academy currently welcomes its first cohort of 17 students who are focused on obtaining the 'Specified Skills 1' qualification necessary for working in Japan. The curriculum emphasizes three critical areas: language proficiency, skills for the labor market, and cultural understanding, ensuring these students are well prepared for their future roles.

Through this initiative, AEON aims to cultivate foreign talent that can serve as immediate assets to the organization while adhering to high standards of service delivery. The group is targeting the recruitment of 4,000 individuals across various operational roles, aligning with Japan's labor needs.

Expanding Talent Acquisition: Record Numbers and New Collaborations

On August 28, 2025, AEON Delight marked a significant milestone with the integration of 42 new foreign staff members under the Specified Skills program, pushing the cumulative count of hired foreign talent to 223. Currently, the focus areas for recruitment include building cleaning and food manufacturing sectors, with plans for further expansion into additional fields.

This recent employment wave reflects a broader trend in the company's efforts to widen its net of talent acquisition. Notably, for the first time, the hiring included individuals from AEON Delight Connect and Shiraosei Company. Both companies expressed high hopes for the fresh batch of enthusiastic entrants into the AEON family.

With the accelerating globalization of talent movement, AEON operates under the premise that Japan will face similar labor shortages in sectors currently less affected, such as China. As a proactive measure, AEON is strengthening its human resource strategies across ASEAN countries, which are vital sources of skilled labor. The aim is to establish a sustainable, long-term human resources framework that adapts to the evolving labor landscape while consistently providing dependable and safe services as part of their corporate mission.

PT.ADN Artisan Academy: Operational Insights

The inception of PT.ADN Artisan Academy represents a significant leap forward in AEON’s recruitment and training initiatives.

Company Overview

- Company Name: PT.ADN Artisan Academy
- Director: Xu Li
- Location: Komplek CBD Pluit S.10, North Jakarta
- Capital: 10 billion Rupiah
- Contributors: AEON Delight Co., Ltd., AD Service Group (China), PT.NEWTON EDUCATION CENTER (Indonesia)

Educational Outline

- Target Audience: Graduates aged 18-30 from vocational high schools
- Training Curriculum: Japanese language, cleaning techniques, Japanese culture
- Instructors: Experienced educators with study and work backgrounds in Japan
- Training Duration: Basic course (6 months), Advanced course (2 months)
- Enrollment: Day schooling or dormitory accommodation

The opening ceremony for the academy on June 2, 2025, will gather over 20 attendees, including representatives from the Indonesian Ministry of Labor, local business associations, and AEON Delight executives, marking a pivotal step in the future of workforce development in Indonesia.

As the company continues to evolve in response to labor market dynamics, the establishment of the PT.ADN Artisan Academy and other initiatives will play a crucial role in building a robust workforce ready to tackle Japan's unique challenges.