Business · Trade · 5 hrs ago
Indonesia's trade minister hopes to avoid importing used Japanese trains
Trade Minister Budi Santoso said Indonesia hopes to avoid importing used trains from Japan because local manufacturers already produce trains.
As of October 14, the Trade Ministry had received no application to import the trains, and the Industry Ministry had not submitted a request either.
The proposal came from state rail operator KAI, which said imported trains could help address a shortage of commuter train sets in the Jakarta area.
KAI said passenger numbers rose 11.3% in the first half of 2026 from a year earlier, reaching about 1.1 million a day.
It also said its trains average more than 41 years old, while domestic production capacity is limited.
Imports are regulated and need technical ministry approval; the rules in force at the time set a maximum age of 20 years for imported used trains.
Budi said the ministry would consider the matter if an application arrives, but it is not yet clear whether the import plan will proceed.
Trade Minister Budi Santoso said Indonesia should avoid importing used trains from Japan because domestic industry already produces trains.
As of October 14, the Trade Ministry had received no application to import used electric commuter trains.
Santoso said the ministry was waiting to see whether an application would be submitted and could not say whether the plan would proceed.
KAI chief executive Bobby Rasyidin had proposed importing used trains as a short-term response to a shortage of Jakarta-area commuter train sets.
He said passenger numbers were rising while KAI’s trains averaged more than 41 years old and domestic production capacity was limited.
- Who
- Trade Minister Budi Santoso said he hoped Indonesia would not need to import used trains. KAI chief executive Bobby Rasyidin had proposed imports as a short-term solution.
- What
- Indonesia is considering importing used electric commuter trains from Japan, but the Trade Ministry had received no application.
- When
- Santoso spoke on October 14, 2026. KAI’s proposal was raised on September 23.
- Where
- Indonesia; Santoso spoke at ICE BSD in Tangerang.
- Why
- Santoso cited existing domestic train production. KAI said imports could help address a shortage of Jakarta-area commuter trains as passenger numbers rise.
Budi Santoso
Bobby Rasyidin
Approach to train supply
Budi Santoso
Santoso hopes Indonesia will not import used trains because domestic industry already produces trains.
Bobby Rasyidin
Rasyidin proposed imports from Japan as a short-term solution while domestic production capacity increases.
Reason for the proposal
Budi Santoso
Santoso said no import application had been submitted and did not say the plan would proceed.
Bobby Rasyidin
Rasyidin cited rising passenger numbers, an aging fleet and limited domestic production capacity.
KAI chief executive Bobby Rasyidin proposed importing used trains at a hearing with the House of Representatives Commission VI.
Budi Santoso said the Trade Ministry had explained the requirements and rules for importing used trains.
Santoso said the Trade Ministry had received no application to import used commuter trains and hoped imports would not be needed.
- Trade minister
- Budi Santoso
- Import application
- None received by October 14, 2026
- KAI chief executive
- Bobby Rasyidin
- Passenger growth
- 11.3% in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier
- Daily passengers
- About 1.1 million on Jakarta-area commuter trains
- Average age of KAI trains
- More than 41 years
What people are saying
I hope there will be no import of used trains.
However, as a bridging solution, to meet the needs of transport that we will use to the maximum today for the next 10 years, that is by importing trains that are not new from Japan.