Hokkaido Kei Park Fully Commits to Hiring and Developing Indonesian Talent

Kereta Co., Ltd. (Head office: Tomakomai City, Hokkaido; Representative Director: Kazuaki Ishigame), which operates the Kei car specialty store "Hokkaido Kei Park," is actively promoting the recruitment and development of Indonesian talent with the aim of addressing the shortage of automotive mechanics and fostering international human resources. Six individuals are already active on site, and an additional 10 hires are planned for the future.

Group photo with the president, vice president, three first-batch trainees, and their families.

Background of Recruitment: Shortage of Mechanics and the Role of Overseas Talent

In the automotive maintenance industry, securing mechanics is a major challenge due to factors such as the decrease in young people. Hokkaido faces a similar trend, and human resource development is essential to maintain a safe and secure car life. In light of this situation, our company is promoting the securing of mechanics and the transfer of technical skills through the recruitment and development of overseas talent.

Meanwhile, Indonesia continues to experience population growth, and securing employment opportunities for its youth is one of its social challenges. The country's car penetration rate is still in a developing stage compared to Japan, and an acceleration of motorization is expected in the future. Furthermore, many cars distributed in Indonesia are Japanese, so the significance of learning Japanese maintenance technology is expected to increase further.

Given these circumstances, our company decided to promote the recruitment and development of Indonesian talent. Currently, six Indonesian staff members who joined in December 2024 are active in maintenance and related operations, and we have been developing a reception system that includes Japanese language education, technical training, and living support.

We plan to hire an additional 10 individuals in April 2026, and going forward, we aim to fully establish a long-term human resource development model.

Support for Japanese Language Education and Technical Training

Our company collaborates with talent introduction agencies to establish a support system for Japanese language learning. In addition to supporting Japanese language education, we also provide financial assistance for Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) examination fees, encouraging language skill improvement. Furthermore, we plan to support challenges for the "Specified Skilled Worker No. 2" examination so that they can play an active role as highly skilled personnel in the future.

Company Dormitories, Living Support, and Hokkaido Cultural Experiences

In terms of living, we provide support for moving into company-leased housing to assist with life in Japan. Moreover, as an initiative to deepen interaction with the local community, Representative Director Kazuaki Ishigame takes Indonesian employees to local festivals and fruit picking, creating opportunities for them to experience Hokkaido's unique culture and lifestyle.

Through these efforts, we are creating an environment where employees can work with peace of mind while integrating into the local community.

Repatriation Support and Recruitment Interviews for First-Batch Trainees

In February 2026, our company visited Indonesia for local recruitment interviews and, in conjunction with this, supported the temporary return of three first-batch trainees. Our company covered the travel expenses for employees returning home after a long time, supporting their reunion with family. During their visit, Representative Director Kazuaki Ishigame also visited their family homes to directly report on their work situation and growth in Hokkaido. Local families expressed their relief about their loved ones working far away in Hokkaido.

Through such initiatives, we value building trust not only with the employees themselves but also with their families as part of creating a secure working environment.

Relatives of the first-batch trainees gathered for a reunion after a year. With staff from a local educational institution in front of a first-batch trainee's home. At a first-batch trainee's home. The mother, wife, and baby welcomed us.

Towards a Win-Win Human Resource Development Model

Our company positions this initiative not merely as talent acquisition, but as a "Win-Win human resource development model" that contributes to:

① Maintaining Hokkaido's automotive maintenance system ② Improving the skills of Indonesian talent ③ Contributing to the development of the automotive industry in Hokkaido and Indonesia

Future Outlook

Hokkaido Kei Park will continue to develop an environment where foreign talent can grow and thrive with peace of mind, while also working to strengthen the system that supports regional mobility services.

About Kereta Co., Ltd.

Kereta Co., Ltd. operates "Hokkaido Kei Park," a specialty store for Kei cars, with two locations in Sapporo City, one in Kitahiroshima City, and one in Tomakomai City.

As an authorized Suzuki dealer and a Daihatsu Super Pit store, we are an authorized retailer with special dealership agreements with manufacturers, selling new, unregistered used, and pre-owned vehicles.

Furthermore, regular inspections, vehicle inspections, and repair services for breakdowns and accidents are handled at our in-house maintenance factories, which are designated and approved by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

Our management philosophy is "Cherishing the improvement of daily life" and "Energizing Hokkaido through Kei cars." We aim to be a company that contributes to the lifestyle of Hokkaido through community-rooted car life support.

【Company Profile】 Company Name: Kereta Co., Ltd. Head Office Location: 1-14-16 Numanohata Chuo, Tomakomai City, Hokkaido Representative Director: Kazuaki Ishigame Business Activities: Sales of unregistered new Kei cars, sales of new and used cars, vehicle inspections and statutory inspections, general automotive maintenance, sheet metal painting, non-life insurance, life insurance, rental and leasing Established: 1998 HP: https://kereta.jp/