Prabowo Affirms That The Closeness Of Indonesia And Japan Has Been Old

JAKARTA - When he started his speech at a bilateral meeting between the Government of Indonesia and the Government of Japan at the Bogor Presidential Palace, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said that the two countries were partners and old friends.

Therefore, President Prabowo assessed that the state visit of Japanese Prime Minister (PM) Shigeru Ishiba to the Bogor Presidential Palace, Bogor City, West Java, Saturday, showed the commitment of the two countries to strengthen each other and strengthen relations and cooperation in various fields.

"Your Excellency Brother Ishiba Shigeru, along with the entire delegation of the Government of Japan, once again, I would like to welcome you to Indonesia, and I would like to convey that this is a great honor for us, because we view Japan as a long-standing partner and friend," said President Prabowo at a bilateral meeting of the Government of Indonesia and the Government of Japan at the Bogor Presidential Palace, reported by ANTARA, Saturday, January 11.

On the same occasion, President Prabowo then revealed several priorities for his government's work, namely self-sufficiency in food and energy, downstreaming and industrialization, and eliminating hunger.

Then, the President invited the Japanese Government to take part in the priority programs of the Indonesian government, especially related to downstreaming in all areas of natural resources.

"We are very open to the Japanese industry to participate in our downstream program in all areas of natural resources," Prabowo said.

In the same meeting, after President Prabowo delivered his remarks, PM Ishiba started his remarks by recalling his meeting with President Prabowo at the APEC Summit in Lima, Peru, November 13, 2024.

PM Ishiba also revealed his memories of having been to Indonesia 34 years ago when he was a member of the second DPR in the Japanese parliament.

"I am touched by the development of Indonesia so far. I want to contribute and cooperate with Indonesia in the fields that have been conveyed by the President, "said PM Ishiba.

PM Ishiba said Indonesia and Japan have many similarities, so two countries need to pay attention to balance in taking diplomatic policies.

The bilateral meeting between the Government of Indonesia and the Government of Japan took place after Prime Minister Ishiba and President Prabowo met face-to-face in the President's office.

During the bilateral meeting, the Indonesian delegation consisted of ministers and members of the Red and White Cabinet, namely Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono, Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Minister of Investment and Downstreaming/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board Rosan P. Roeslani, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto, Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan, Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid, and Cabinet Secretary Major Inf. Teddy Indra Wijaya.

Meanwhile, the Japanese delegation consisted of Deputy Head of Cabinet Secretariat Aoki Kazuhiko, Secretary General of the National Security Secretariat Akiba Takeo, Special Advisor to Prime Minister Mori Masahumi, Cabinet Special Advisor Iijima Isao, Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia Masaki Yasushi, then Director General of Southeast Asia and Southwest Asia Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nakamura Ryo, and Secretary PM Kaihara Kentaro.