Jakarta. The Japan-backed Asian Development Bank (ADB) has renewed its commitment to invest in Indonesia’s human capital via graduate scholarships.

The regional development bank, which has Japan among its top shareholders, boasts the so-called ADB-Japan Scholarship Program (JSP) for qualified citizens from “developing member countries” such as Indonesia. It offers graduate scholarships for studies in development-related fields such as economics and science in Japanese universities, with the hopes that they bring the newly found knowledge to their home country. 

Japan has spent at least $220.4 million to bankroll the initiative, according to ADB’s latest report. As many as 399 Indonesian awardees have joined the program from 1988 to 2024. 

Speaking at an alumni gathering on Friday night, ADB Deputy Country Director Kanya Sasradipoera said that “investing in people” was among the bank’s strategic pathways for Indonesia.

“Together with the government and our partners, we are strengthening higher education and skills development to empower individuals and institutions to drive development impact,” Kanya told the dinner.

Myochin Mitsuru, Japanese Embassy’s chargé d'affaires ad interim, said that bilateral bonds had become “stronger than ever”, citing President Prabowo Subianto’s recent meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaechi in Tokyo. 

“People-to-people connections, mutual trust, and shared aspirations give the very foundation of our partnership,” Mitsuru said.

Over the years, ADB has rolled out policy-based loans for Indonesia, including a $500 million package for energy transition in September 2024. As of end-2025, ADB has committed a total of $50.6 billion in public sector loans, grants, and technical assistance for Indonesia.