Warmly Welcomed, Japanese PM Expresses Thanks To Jokowi And Indonesian Citizens Who Condolences For Shinzo Abe's Passing

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo started his working visit to Japan by holding a meeting with the Prime Minister (PM) of Japan, Kishida Fumio, at the Japanese PM's Office, in Tokyo local time.

"Kishida welcomed Jokowi directly in the front yard of his office before the two government leaders underwent an official welcoming ceremony," said a press statement from the Presidential Secretariat received in Jakarta, Antara, Wednesday, July 27.

After playing each country's national anthem at the rostrum of honor, Kishida invited him to examine the honorary line followed by the introduction of the delegations of each country before heading to the meeting room and holding bilateral meetings.

In his introductory remarks, Kishida appreciated Jokowi's visit to Japan.

"Welcome to Japan, I really appreciate the arrival of President Jokowi as chairman of the G20. Thank you also for the warm welcome when I visited Indonesia at the end of April," said Kishida.

Kishida also expressed his gratitude for the condolences of Jokowi and the Indonesian people regarding the departure of the former Japanese PM, Shinzo Abe. "We will continue to defend democracy and continue the work of the deceased to strengthen good relations and cooperation with Indonesia," Kishida said.

Meanwhile, Jokowi also expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome during his visit to Japan. He again expressed his condolences for the death of Abe.

"On behalf of the Indonesian people, I once again express my deep condolences for the death of the former Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe. He is the leader of Japan who has brought relations between our two countries into a Strategic Partnership," he said.

On that occasion, he also expressed his gratitude for Japan's support for Indonesia's chairmanship in the G20. "I hope PM Kishida will attend the G20 summit later in Bali, in November," he said.

After the bilateral meeting was over, the two leaders then headed to the large hall at the Japanese PM's Office to give a joint press statement.

Also accompanying the activity were the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Pandjaitan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi, Minister of State Secretary, Pratikno, Minister of SOEs, Erick Thohir, Minister of Investment/Head of Capital Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), Bahlil Lahadalia, and the Indonesian Ambassador to Japan, Heri Akhmadi.