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ECHIZEN, Fukui - A 19-year-old Indonesian man named Kgs M Irvan is working on a crab fishing boat called Kansho Maru in central Japan. He is helping the fishing industry by filling a gap caused by a shortage of workers. Irvan sends a large portion of his monthly pay back to his family in Indonesia.

Irvan is a crew member on the bottom trawler Kansho Maru, which belongs to the Echizen Town Japan Fisheries Co-operative. Crab from this area is a popular winter food in Fukui Prefecture.

In August, the co-op had 43 bottom trawlers registered, with 38 of them employing foreign crew members. The number of foreign workers has increased by 70 in the past decade, with the majority being Indonesians.

Sea work can be dangerous, especially during the cold winter months. However, Irvan remains undeterred, stating that labor jobs in Indonesia are even harsher and pay is lower. Every month, he contributes more than half of his earnings to support his family back home.

Irvan has a strong interest in machinery and studied motorcycle repair at a school in Indonesia. Before arriving in Japan, he learned skills such as fixing nets for three months. Captain Hirotsugu Yamashita of the Kansho Maru praises Irvan for his ability to work quietly and diligently, and he believes the young worker will take on even more significant responsibilities in the future.

Irvan enjoys spending time with other Indonesian workers on his days off, playing games and occasionally traveling together. He also receives assistance in adapting to life in Japan, such as understanding proper garbage disposal methods. Yamashita emphasizes the importance of foreign workers in the future of fishing, advocating for a more open-minded approach to working with people from diverse backgrounds.