Message from the Ambassador or the Republic of Indonesia to Japan

Indonesia and Japan have enjoyed a very harmonious relationship since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1958. Over the last 50 years our two countries have proven to be reliable partners for one another. This relationship is not about the past, but about looking forward to continuously strengthen our future relations.

Although we have cordial bilateral relations, there is no room for complacency and there is still scope for improvement. The bilateral relationship has been built not only because we have excellent cooperation between our government officials and business communities, but because of the determination of our people to maintain this friendship. Above all, we have to relentlessly foster people-to people contacts, and we have to engage the young generations as much as possible in our endeavour. Needless to say, that the future of Indonesia-Japan relations belongs to the young generations of our two nations.

The Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo has been working very closely with the ASEAN Japan Centre (AJC) to boost Indonesian exports to Japan, to attract Japanese companies to invest in Indonesia, and to invite Japanese tourists to visit Indonesia.

In the area of trade, Japan is the main trading partner of Indonesia, and Indonesia exports both raw materials and manufactured products to Japan. Indonesia wishes to see many more small and medium sized companies involved in our trade relations. In cooperation with the AJC, the Indonesian Embassy has exhibited various Indonesian products in the permanent hall of the AJC in Tokyo.

In the investment sector, Japan has been the main source of foreign direct investment in Indonesia. The government of Indonesia has been always improving the business climate and wishes to invite more Japanese companies to invest in Indonesia. Together with the AJC, the Indonesian Embassy regularly convenes Indonesian investment seminars in Japan and sends investment missions from Japan to Indonesia.

With regard to the tourism sector, more than half a million Japanese tourists visited Indonesia in 2008, enjoying the natural beauty of the world’s largest archipelago and the welcoming hospitality of the Indonesian people. To promote Indonesia’s tourist destinations, the Indonesian Embassy and the AJC have conducted many promotional programs and exhibitions in Japan and look forward to hosting more of these in the future.

Last but not least, I wish to invite you to visit Indonesia and to feel the warm welcome of the Indonesian people. And if you are a business person, then I wish to invite you to explore the many business opportunities that are to be found there.

June 2009