JAKARTA - The commemoration of Kartini Day 2026 is a momentum to strengthen cooperation in Indonesian tourism with Japan through the implementation of the Japan Sales Mission 2026 at the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo, Japan.
The event, which was held by the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism with the support of the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo and Garuda Indonesia Tokyo on Tuesday (21/4), promoted Indonesian tourism products through business meetings that connected nine Indonesian tourism companies with 16 Japanese tourism companies.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Japan and the Federated States of Micronesia, Nurmala Kartini Sjahrir, appreciates all Japanese and Indonesian tourism business actors in their efforts to increase the promotion of Indonesian tourism products.
"This Japan Sales Mission 2026 activity was held on a special day, namely Kartini Day. A historic day for the struggle for equality between women and men in Indonesia, and I think also in the whole world," said Ambassador Kartini, launching the statement from the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo (21/4).
"I hope that this momentum will be an incentive for efforts to strengthen tourism cooperation between Indonesia and Japan," he continued.
"I note that there are nine Indonesian Travel Tours and 16 Japanese Travel Tours present at this event with a total of about 50 participants," said Ambassador Kartini, accompanied by the Coordinator of the Social and Cultural Information Function (Pensosbud) of the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo, Muhammad Al Aula, the Counselor of the Pensosbud Function Iqbal Mohammad Amrullah and the Third Secretary Zharifah Raihanah Shiddiq.
Furthermore, Ambassador Kartini also saw the enthusiasm of the presence of participants from Japan and Indonesia is very promising for the improvement of cooperation in the tourism sector of the two countries.
This can be seen from the trend of tourist visits between the two countries continues to increase year by year. In 2025, the number of Japanese tourists visiting Indonesia reached around 380,000 people, or an increase of around 12 percent compared to the previous year.
Meanwhile, in the same year, about 680,000 Indonesian tourists visited Japan. These figures give optimism that Indonesia's tourism cooperation with Japan will continue to increase.
"The Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo will continue to work to increase the promotion of Indonesian tourism in Japan. Both through business activities of forums between business actors of the two countries, as well as by promoting Indonesian tourism through the holding of various Indonesian cultural arts on various occasions. This is done so that the Japanese people are increasingly interested in traveling to Indonesia," said Ambassador Kartini.
Indonesia and Japan signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) in the Field of Tourism on March 30, 2026, right in the middle of President Prabowo Subianto's visit to Japan who met with Emperor Naruhito and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
This MoC is expected to further strengthen cooperation in the field of tourism related to tourism promotion; development of tourism products such as wellness, gastronomy, marine tourism, ecotourism, and culture; and destination management and strengthening sustainable tourism, including tourist villages.
Meanwhile, Assistant Deputy for International Tourism Marketing II of the Ministry of Tourism, Yulia, explained that the Sales Mission activities held in Tokyo and Nagoya will create concrete synergies and collaboration between tourism industry players of the two countries.
"The diversity of industries present this time reflects the strength of the Indonesian tourism ecosystem. One of the segments most relevant to the Japanese market is wellness tourism. The high awareness of the Japanese people towards health, quality of life, as well as interest in authentic culture and experiences make Indonesia a very appropriate destination, with unparalleled natural wealth, traditions, and hospitality," he explained.
"Hopefully this Sales Mission will be a strategic step in strengthening Indonesia's position in the Japanese tourism market," said Yulia.
For your information, the nine business actors from Indonesia who attended the 2026 Sales Mission are, Garuda Indonesia - Flag Carrier Airlines; KAI Wisata, which is a train-based tour that offers a unique land travel experience in Indonesia; Amasari Tour & Travel and Matta Tour and Travel, inbound travel agencies; Bagus Jati Wellness (Bagus Discovery) and Khastana Hadi Tegal Lalang Ubud, accommodation & wellness retreat based on nature and culture of Bali; Double Six Luxury Hotel Seminyak and Jambuluwuk Hotels & Resorts, premium hotel properties; and, Wendy Asia Utama, a travel agency specializing in the Asian market, especially Japan.
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