Led By Colonel Junichi Fuoko, Japanese Army Troops Visit Monpera In Palembang

Danbrig Paratroopers I Airborne Japan Colonel Junichi Fuoko gave an origami crane to representatives of the South Sumatra Provincial Government as a symbol of kindness commemorating Japan-Indonesia friendship, (ANTARA/M Riezko Bima Elko P)

PALEMBANG - Japanese Airborne Army troops visited the People's Struggle Monument (Monpera) Jalan Merdeka, Palembang City, South Sumatra, to commemorate the historic event of 1942.

The inaugural visit of the Japanese Army Forces to Monpera Palembang was carried out on the sidelines of the 2022 Super Garuda Shield Joint Military Exercise which took place in Ogan Komering Ulu (OKU) Regency, Thursday, August 4.

Danbrig Paratroopers I Airborne Japan Colonel Junichi Fuoko at Monpera Palembang said the location was very historic and had historical significance for the Japanese Army.

This was because, he said, the Palembang Monpera was the first landing site for the Japanese troops when they invaded Indonesia during the imperialist period in 1942.

"For the Airborne Troops, there is no one who does not know Palembang City because this is a historical place for us in Asia, so we have time to attend military exercises," he said.

Colonel Junichi Fuoko admitted that his 60 troops felt very honored because they were well received by the government and the people of Palembang City. Colonel Junichi Fuoko gave an origami crane in the form of a crane to representatives of the South Sumatra Provincial Government as a symbol of kindness to commemorate Japan-Indonesia friendship.

"The crane origami is also a prayer for those who have died in this beautiful (Palembang) city," he said.

Meanwhile, Secretary of the Culture and Tourism Office of South Sumatra Province, Megawati, said the government hoped that the Japanese Army troops could continue to visit South Sumatra, especially Palembang City on other occasions as tourists.

"This visit is on the sidelines of a joint military exercise mission, so we hope to be able to return to visit as tourists because there are still many tourist destinations that have not been visited," he said.