// Path Comparison — Age 19–20, Target Rp 2B

IT Indonesia first
vs. TG1 → TG2 Japan fast

Which path accumulates Rp 2B fastest? Real numbers, conservative assumptions.

Your age now
19–20 years old
Target
Rp 2.000.000.000
Investment return
7% / year (reksa dana)
¥ → Rp rate
¥1 ≈ Rp 100
TG salary avg
¥200–220k/mo
ID salary avg
Rp 8–14jt/mo
🇮🇩 Path A: IT Indonesia
Graduate → work ID → upgrade to Japan IT later
🇯🇵 Path B: TG1 → TG2
TG1 now → TG2 upgrade → long-term Japan
Prerequisites & Entry
Prerequisites & Entry
When you can start
After graduation (~age 22)
~2 years away
As soon as N4 + skills test passed
Possible at age 20–21
Language requirement
None for ID jobs
N3 is a bonus, not required
JLPT N4 minimum (you have N3 ✓)
Already qualified
Degree required?
Yes — must finish college
2+ years remaining
No degree needed for TG1
Skills-based, not edu-based
Skills test needed
Portfolio + degree = enough
Standard job application
Industry skills test (varies by sector)
Manufacturing, food, etc. — passable
Income & Savings
Income & Savings
Monthly gross income
Rp 8–14jt
Data eng / full stack fresh grad
¥200–220k ≈ Rp 20–22jt
TG1 avg before OT. Often + housing subsidy
Realistic monthly savings
Rp 3–6jt
After rent, food, transport in ID city
Rp 8–12jt
Dormitory often subsidized. Live lean.
Savings after 5 years (no invest)
~Rp 270jt
At Rp 4.5jt avg savings/mo × 60mo
~Rp 600jt
2.2× more than Path A
With 7% invest return (5yr)
~Rp 320jt
~Rp 720jt
Rp 400jt ahead after 5 years
Path to Rp 2B
Path to Rp 2B
Phase 1 (years 1–5)
ID job → save Rp 3–6jt/mo
End balance: ~Rp 320jt
TG1 → save Rp 8–12jt/mo
End balance: ~Rp 720jt
Phase 2 (years 6–10)
ID → Japan IT jump (~age 27–28)
Salary rises to Rp 20jt+
Save ~Rp 10jt/mo
Cumulative: ~Rp 1.1B
TG2 upgrade → indefinite stay
Salary rises + OT + annual raise
Save ~Rp 12–15jt/mo
Cumulative: ~Rp 1.7B
Hits Rp 2B at age...
~35–37
15–17 years of work
~31–33
4–6 years earlier than Path A
Risks & Tradeoffs
Risks & Tradeoffs
Main risks
→ Slow salary growth in ID
→ Crowded market, harder to stand out
→ Japan jump not guaranteed later
→ 2 more years before earning starts
→ TG1 is not IT — physical/factory work
→ No family allowed (TG1, 5yr)
→ Skills test + placement agency needed
→ IT career harder to build during TG years
IT career impact
Builds directly
Every year = real IT experience
Paused during TG1
TG1 is usually non-IT work. IT gap on CV.
Japan PR path
Engineer visa → 10yr → PR
Slower but higher status
TG2 → indefinite stay → PR eligible
Faster PR route via TG2
The real answer — it's not A or B
Choose Path A (IT Indonesia) if...
  • You want to build an IT career long-term
  • You plan to go to Japan as an engineer (not TG worker)
  • You're okay with slower accumulation for better positioning
  • You want the degree + IT title combination
Choose Path B (TG1→TG2) if...
  • Pure financial independence is the only goal
  • You're willing to do non-IT work for 5 years
  • You can get to Japan 1–2 years earlier than Path A
  • You're okay with IT career gap on your CV
The honest recommendation: Path B is faster to Rp 2B by 4–6 years on paper. But TG1 is factory/manufacturing/food service work — not IT. If you do TG1 for 5 years, you come back with savings but an IT career gap. Then what? You either stay in Japan via TG2 (possible) or return to Indonesia to restart IT from zero. Path A is slower financially but builds something that compounds — your IT + Japan positioning. The better hybrid: finish degree, get 1–2 years IT experience in ID targeting Japanese companies, then go to Japan on an Engineer visa (not TG). You earn ¥200–250k like TG1, but with an IT title that grows. That path hits Rp 2B around age 33–35 — only 1–2 years behind TG, but with a career, not a dead end after Japan.