Receiving Emperor Naruhito's Visit, President Jokowi Shows Super Red Arowana Fish For 'Gifts'

Indonesian President Joko Widodo and First Lady Iriana received a state visit by Emperor Hironomiya Naruhito and Empress Masako at the Bogor Presidential Palace/ANTARA

BOGOR - President Joko Widodo received a state visit by Japanese Emperor Hironomiya Naruhito with Empress Masako at the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java today.

Emperor Naruhito's entourage and delegates arrived at the Bogor Palace, West Java, Monday, at around 10.00 WIB, accompanied by Indonesian troops, cavalry and the musical corps of the Presidential Security Force (Paspampres).

The arrival of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako were also welcomed by President Jokowi and First Lady Iriana.

The welcoming procession was then followed by a welcoming ceremony where the national anthems of the two countries were played and accompanied by cannon shots 21 times. After the cannon shots were over, the two leaders then conducted an honor guard inspection.

Jokowi and Naruhito then introduced the delegations from each country who also attended the ceremony.

The delegation from Indonesia was Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono, Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi, Indonesian Ambassador to Japan Heri Akhmadi, and the Director General for Asia, Pacific and Africa of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Abdul Kadir Jailani.

After introducing each delegation to each other, Jokowi then invited Naruhito​​​​​​​ and Masako to take a group photo and sign the state guest book in the Lotus Room, Bogor Palace.

Jokowi and Naruhito then headed to the verandah to chat for a while before planting trees together. During the conversation, Jokowi showed the super red arowana fish that would be handed over to Naruhito.

The series of events continued with joint planting of gaharu trees by Jokowi and Iriana as well as Naruhito and Masako. Afterwards, Jokowi and Iriana invited Naruhito and Masako to visit Griya Anggrek to see the collection of orchids at the Bogor Palace.

The series of state visits by Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako at the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java, closed with a luncheon.

As is known, Emperor Naruhito's visit to Indonesia was his first visit after he assumed the throne on May 1 2019. Naruhito and Masako spent five days in Indonesia and arrived at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Banten, Saturday (17/6).

Press Secretary for the Emperor of Japan Kojiro Shiojiri said Naruhito visited Indonesia at the invitation of Joko Widodo who visited Japan in July 2022. Shiojiri also said that Naruhito really wanted to see first-hand the development of relations between Indonesia and Japan.

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