Kemendikbudristek Says Japanese Emperor Visits Monas Shows Interest In Indonesian Culture

Japanese Emperor Hironomiya Naruhito and Queen Masako visited the National Museum, in Jakarta, Tuesday (20/6/2023). (ANTARA/HO-Kemendikbudristek)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) stated that the visit of Japanese Emperor Hironomiya Naruhito and Queen Masako to the Jakarta National Museum (Monas) showed interest in Indonesian culture.

"This visit of the Emperor to us is very special and shows that the visit of the Emperor is not only about the economy and geopolitical cooperation in the region, but also about culture," said the Director General (Dirjen) of Culture of the Ministry of Education and Culture Hilmar Farid at Monas Jakarta, Tuesday, January 20, as reported by Antara.

Hilmar admitted that the visit of Emperor Naruhito was very meaningful for both the Ministry of Education and Culture and the National Museum considering that the Emperor and the Queen of Japan were very impressed with the various collections in this museum.

He said Emperor Naruhito was very interested in all the explanations presented by the National Museum Curators ranging from human civilization in Indonesia, cultural and artistic diversity, irrigation systems to gold collections.

"Kaisar does have special attention about water because in the past the field of study was that. But after I saw earlier, his interest was actually wider, not only water but also about history, culture and language," he said.

Even Emperor Naruhito and his entourage were amazed when Hilmar explained that Indonesia has 17 thousand islands with 1,100 ethnicities and 600 languages.

Hilmar said that for the Emperor and Queen of Japan this was very interesting considering that Indonesia could still live side by side, unite, and peacefully, despite the many differences.

"What they say is amazing because it turns out that we can live together in such a big country. A country so in theverse," he said.

The head of Monas, Ni Luh Putu Candra Dewi, said that the collections visited by Emperor Naruhito at the museum were determined directly by the Japanese who were adjusted to the wishes and interests of the Emperor.

"The collections visited by the Emperor, especially the Tugu Inscription, were determined directly by the Japanese side," he said.