First Lady Invites The Queen Of Japan To See The Hokokai Java Batik Collection

JAKARTA - First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo invited the Japanese Queen Masako to listen to the Java Hokokai batik collection at the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java.

"The activity was carried out by the First Lady while President Joko Widodo and Japanese Emperor Naruhito held a one-on-one meeting on the sidelines of a state visit," said the Press Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat, Monday, June 19.

First Lady Iriana and Queen Masako previously participated in accompanying President Jokowi and Emperor Naruhito to carry out a procession of planting agarwood tree in the backyard of the Bogor Palace.

After that, the First Lady together with the Queen Masako headed for the Griya Anggrek at the Bogor Botanical Gardens to review the orchid collection that was there.

When President Jokowi held a one-on-one meeting with Emperor Naruhito, the First Lady invited the Queen Masako to carry out an agenda for accompanying activities which began by watching the disabled painter Benedict Anfield painting koi fish.

The First Lady then invited Queen Masako to witness the process of the craftsman drawing a pattern and reversing the batik motif "Pisan Balen" which means "Once It Comes Back later".

Furthermore, the First Lady and Queen Masako headed to the exhibition area of the Javanese Hokokai batik collection. The Queen of Masako even tried several times wearing batik cloth whose motive was influenced by Jeoang culture.

After the series of activities, the First Lady hosted the Queen Masako enjoying a warm tea dish while talking lightly.

President Jokowi in a joint press conference said that the state visit of Emperor Naruhito to Indonesia further strengthened the foundation for the friendship of the people of Indonesia and Japan.

"Strong consolidation like this is needed for the development of our two countries' strategic partnerships in the future, especially in the economic sector," said Jokowi.

Emperor Naruhito and Queen Masako visited Indonesia at the invitation of Indonesian President Joko Widodo to visit Japan in July 2022.

The Emperor's visit coincided with the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Japan, as well as the 50th anniversary of the collaboration between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Japan.

Emperor Naruhito's visit also followed in his father's footsteps in establishing good relations with Indonesia.

The father, Emperor Akihito, and Queen Michiko visited Indonesia in 1991 and was accepted by President Suharto with Mrs. Tien Soeharto.