On Japan's rough seas, Indonesian rookie fishermen dream big

Undermanned industry sends SOS as more guest workers seek richer shores

20200506N fishermen

Pole and line fishermen on the Mitsumaru pull their catch aboard. The boat is one of many in Japan that relies on foreign trainees for labor. (All photos by Taro Yokosawa)

TARO YOKOSAWA, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- "I've got one, bring me more bait!" a fisherman roared while pulling his catch aboard the Mitsumaru. Three rookies obliged, dodging the fish zipping past their faces like bullets.

Sutriyo, Faizin and Dadang came to Japan during the winter after graduating a fisheries high school in Indonesia. They began a three-year stint as foreign technical interns in March aboard the Mitsumaru, a fishing boat based out of the southern Japanese city of Tosa.

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