Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia, H.E. Masafumi Ishii, visited UGM to give an Ambassadorial Lecture on Monday (20/11) in the Auditorium of UGM Library.
The lecture themed Move Forward Together, Work Together, Japan-Indonesia Strategic Partnership relates to the partnership between Indonesia and Japan that has last for 60 years.
“Indonesia is one of the most strategic partners of Japan,” he said about the role of Indonesia to Japan.
Ambassador Masafumi said Indonesia was the key to Japan’s foreign policy named as free and open Indo-Pacific strategy to increase connectivity between Asian an African countries as well as promoting regional stability and prosperity.
The role of Indonesia in global politics and economy is seen to grow bigger along with Indonesia’s increased economy.
“Currently, Indonesia has become the most influential country in ASEAN, in the future its role will get bigger due to the increased population and economic growth which is at 5%,” he said.
Ahead the 60th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Indonesia-Japan in 2018, the Japanese and Indonesian governments have launched joint efforts to enhance their bilateral ties.
“This is the golden moment to enhance the relations in the future,” said Ambassador Masafumi.
This can be done by enhancing economic partnership where Japan is ready to prepare facilities and infrastructure to build the national economic development.
“Japanese firms have done investments and recruited Indonesian manpower. For economic growth, Indonesia needs good infrastructure and we are ready to support that,” he said.
Indonesia’s economic growth which is 5%, according to the envoy, is a good thing that needs to be sustained. But he encouraged this to be increased to 6% or 7% to anticipate against increasing population.
Cooperation enhancement is also done through joint efforts to promote bilateral strategic interests, such as freedom, security, radicalism prevention, and friendship.
“I hope this good relationship can continue for more years. Let’s work together, move forward together,” he concluded.