The Emperor Of Japan And Empress Masako Choose Indonesia For Their First Overseas Visit

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (right) accompanied by Empress Masako (left) arrived at Hotel Indonesia Kempinski, Jakarta, Saturday (17/6/2023). ANTARA PHOTOS/Akbar Nugroho Gumay/nz

JAKARTA - The Press Secretary for the Emperor of Japan Kojiro Shiojiri said that Emperor Naruhito's visit to Indonesia was his first visit after taking the throne on May 1 2019.

"This means the first overseas visit after he (the Emperor) ascended the throne," said Press Secretary Kojiro Shiojiri in a statement quoted by ANTARA, Sunday, June 18.

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako paid a five-day visit to Indonesia and arrived at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on Saturday (17/6).

Secretary Shiojiri said Emperor Naruhito visited Indonesia at the invitation of Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) who visited Japan in July last year.

Shiojiri also said that Emperor Naruhito really wanted to see directly the development of relations between Indonesia and Japan.

In addition, it was stated that this year was a significant year because diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Japan had reached 65 years and 50 years of relations between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Japan.

Shiojiri said Emperor Naruito visited two places in Jakarta, namely the Lebak Bulus MRT Depot and the Pluit Waduk Pump Station, on Sunday.

During a visit to the Lebak Bulus MRT Depot, Shiojiri said that Emperor Naruhito asked many questions and received detailed explanations from experts from Indonesia and Japan.

"For four years (after it was inaugurated), there was one achievement, namely that so far there had never been an accident, and also the operational timeliness ratio was 99.9 percent," said Shiojiri.

Shiojiri said the MRT said that they prioritized safety and service quality, such as providing facilities for people with disabilities.

It was also stated that almost all of the MRT's operational activities were carried out by Indonesians who had been well-guided and they were highly proficient human resources.

During a visit to Pluit Reservoir, Shiojiri said Emperor Naruhito was very interested in water management and asked various questions during the visit.

"In Pluit, because he (Emperor) is a person who really knows about water management, therefore, he asked a lot of technical questions," said Shiojiri.

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako will meet President Jokowi at the Bogor Palace on June 19, and will visit Yogyakarta on June 21 before returning to Japan on June 23.