60 years of RI-Japan relations, more bilateral cooperation to come

Jakarta, wapresri.go.id – Within six decades of relations between Indonesia and Japan, Vice President Jusuf Kalla said that the cooperation between the two countries is still potential to be improved by taking into account the domestic dynamics of each country.

“I feel optimistic that there will still be room to further optimise the cooperation,” said the Vice President at the sixty-year anniversary of Indonesia-Japan diplomatic relations in the ballroom of Hotel Indonesia Kempinski, Jakarta, Saturday (20/1).

In the economic field, cooperation between the two countries has been going well. “Japan is the second largest investor in Indonesia, and is one of the major trading partner countries,” explained the Vice President.

Currently, he added, there are about 1,800 Japanese companies investing in Indonesia. This is believed to contribute in promoting competitiveness and advancing the Indonesian economy.

In the political field, the Vice President said the two countries also have solid cooperation. “A strategic partnership agreement for a peaceful and prosperous future has been signed by each head of state in 2006,” he said.

The Indonesia-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (IJEPA) was also signed in 2007, which was further strengthened through a joint statement by the heads of state during the Japanese Prime Minister’s visit to Indonesia in January 2017.

In the people-to-people relationship, the Vice President said, the relationship between communities is also very dynamic, one of which is proved by the increasing intensity of mutual visits between the two countries.

The closeness of friendship between Indonesian and Japanese people, according to the Vice President, is also reflected, among others, on technical cooperation and capacity building between sister-cities and sisters-provinces in both countries.

The Vice President underscored, the 60th anniversary of Indonesia-Japan diplomatic relations is a golden opportunity for both countries to strengthen friendship and dynamic partnership in the future.

Concluding his remarks, the Vice President affirmed that in dealing with various uncertain dynamics of today, heart-to-heart relationships are key in building equal partnerships in the face of challenges.

“I believe that heart-to-heart relationship or akai ito is a key that can keep us stand hand in hand, work together, and move forward together as equal partners in facing the challenges of the future,” he concluded.

Also attending the ceremony were Minister of Home Affairs Tjahjo Kumolo, Minister of Communication and Informatics Rudiantara, Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Ignatius Jonan, Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi, and President’s Special Envoy for Japan Rahmat Gobel. (RN/FM, KIP Setwapres).