Indonesia established an internship programme to Japan to help with poverty alleviation and Japan’s need for labour. Participants are receiving Japanese language and culture instruction as part of the preparation process. The purpose of this research is to analyse how the Indonesian and Japan’s work cultures diffusion and education-training activities affected the competency and competitive advantage of the participants. This quantitative study used responses from 400 IKAPEKSI members located across Indonesia. The study concluded that Japan’s work culture affect competence and individual competitive advantage significantly, education and training affect competence significantly but weaken individual competitive advantage insignificantly, and competence insignificantly affect individual competitive advantage positively. Copyright © 2024 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.