Creating the Momentum for Strengthening Indonesia-Japan Relations
President Jokowi and PM Kishida discussed improving relations between the two countries in terms of investment, trade, energy, climate change and maritime security.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo (L) shakes hands with Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida prior to their meeting at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo on July 27, 2022.
TOKYO, WEDNESDAY – President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, in Tokyo, on Wednesday (27/72022), agreed that cooperation in various fields between the two countries will be strengthened. The two leaders also committed to partnering and building a friendship for the sake of world stability, peace and prosperity and ensuring the success of the G20 Summit to be held in Bali this November.
In the hour-long meeting, President Jokowi and PM Kishida discussed improving relations between the two countries in terms of investment, trade, energy, climate change and maritime security. Regional and global issues were also discussed, including Kishida’s statement on the success of the G20 Summit in Bali during Indonesia’s presidency.
“President Joko Widodo’s visit today serves as an inspiration to strengthen relations with Indonesia, considering that we will commemorate 65 years of diplomatic relations and 50 years of friendship and cooperation between Japan and ASEAN,” said Kishida.
President Jokowi’s visit to Japan was part of his tour around East Asia to meet with leaders of the three regional-economic giants, namely China, Japan and South Korea. In Japan, apart from meeting PM Kishida, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako at the Imperial Palace, Jokowi also met with several CEOs of Japanese companies.
In the meeting with Kishida, Jokowi thanked him for all the Japanese projects that were completed on schedule. He hopes that Japan can participate in other strategic projects in Indonesia’s regions, such as the construction of the Bintuni Bay industrial area in West Papua, the expansion of the Patimban Port and a partnership in the Abadi liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant in the Masela Block of Maluku.
AP/IMPERIAL HOUSEHOLD AGENCY OF JAPAN
In this photo provided by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan, Indonesia's President Joko Widodo, from left, and his wife Iriana Widodo meet with Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, second right, at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Wednesday, July 27, 2022.
The President also hopes that Japan will support Indonesia to gain knowledge and develop technology, especially in the downstream process of natural commodities, the development of electric vehicles, the food and health sectors as well as supporting Indonesia in achieving its net-zero-emissions target through the implementation of hydrogen and ammonia technology.
Meanwhile, PM Kishida expressed Japan’s commitment to cooperate with Indonesia on several strategic projects, such as the MRT project in Jakarta and the Patimban Port.
He also mentioned Japan’s intention to provide loans of around 43.6 billion yen (Rp 4.7 trillion) for projects related to disaster mitigation and the Peusangan hydropower plant in North Aceh regency, Special Region of Aceh.
Additionally, Kishida expressed his desire to increase discussions about and investments in the automotive industry, food, entrepreneurship and cooperation in the environmental sector.
Japanese investments
In a meeting with Japanese CEOS, Jokowi said that Japan is one of the largest investors in Indonesia, with quality-investment characteristics. “Thus, I also hope that Japanese investors will consider their competitiveness so that they can compete with other investors in Indonesia,” the President added.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Coordinating Economic Minister revealed that Toyota Motor Corporation plans to invest Rp 27.1 trillion (US$1,813,139) in the next five years for the production of electric cars. Mitsubishi Motors Corporation is said to be investing around Rp 10 trillion between 2022-2025.
Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi, who accompanied President Jokowi, explained that during the meeting, the two leaders also discussed cooperation in maritime security. For the first time, Japan has decided to partake in the joint-military exercise, Garuda Shield, along with the United States, Australia and others, starting 1 August. (INA/CAS/DNE/MHD)
