In response to the request from the National Development Planning Agency (BAPPENAS) of Indonesia, GRIPS had a two-week training program for officials of BAPPENAS and faculty members of Indonesian universities from August 20 to 31, 2018. Twenty five selected members participated in the program.

This training program aims to deepen the understanding of Planning and Budgeting through lectures and other activities. In the program, participants attended 18 lectures and visited Chiba Prefectural Government and Nippon Steel and Sumitomo Metals, Kimitsu Works.

During the program, participants attended lectures given by Program Director Masahiro Horie, (GRIPS Professor Emeritus and Director of the Executive Development Center for Global Leadership), and lectures given by GRIPS faculty members; Professor Emeritus Hisayoshi Hashimoto, Professor Ikuo Shimomura, Professor Taichi Ono, Professor Fumihiro Kabuta. Lectures were also provided by Professor Shunsuke Kimura of Meiji University (former GRIPS Professor), Professor Hideaki Tanaka of Meiji University (former GRIPS Visiting Professor), Professor Kenji Umetani of Hosei University (former GRIPS Professor), Professor Hiroshi Nagano, Guest Professor of Keio University (former GRIPS Professor), Professor Hiroshi Ikawa of Teikyo University (also Professor Emeritus of GRIPS) and Professor Hikaru Kobayashi of Keio University (former Administrative Vice Minister of the Ministry of the Environment).

Participants also had an opportunity to visit the Chiba Prefectural Government and Nippon Steel and Sumitomo Metals, Kimitsu Works.   At Chiba Prefectural Government, Mr. Masayuki Tani, Manager of Industry and New Energy Planning Section, Commerce, Industry and Labor Department Industrial Promotion Division gave a comprehensive briefing on development of the industry in coastal area of Chiba and responded to the questions from Indonesian participants.

After lectures and briefing, participants were divided into three groups and had intensive workshop on the problems and challenges of planning and budgeting in Indonesia and possible solutions to address those problems and challenges. 

On the final day, Professor Horie presided over a summary session. The program was completed and each participant received a certificate of completion at the closing ceremony.