TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Toshimitsu Motegi, arrived at the ASEAN Secretariat, Jalan Sisingamangaraja, South Jakarta to open the ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC) Special Lecture, "Japan's Policy for ASEAN" on Friday, January 10, 2020.

Having visited Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines before Indonesia, Motegi's arrival in the ASEAN Secretariat was received by ASEAN Secretary General Dato Lim Jock Hoi. The ASEC lecture presented by Motegi highlights Japan's foreign policy approach in regards to the Southeast Asian Region.

Having assumed office on September 10 of 2019, this visit to Indonesia marks Motegi's first ASEAN tour. As former Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry, Motegi's appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs highlights Japan's plan for the Indo-Pacific region, which is heavily tied with the strengthening of a bilateral economic and diplomatic relations with the ASEAN countries.

In the lecture, Motegi highlighted that Japan's foreign policy has been in the 'spirit of gotong-royong.' Continuing on, Motegi detailed the three courses of Japan-ASEAN cooperation to be in the pillars of "nurturing people," "building institution," and "amassing wisdom".

Prior to his lecture in the ASEAN Secretariat, Motegi visited President Jokowi at the State Palace, Jakarta, on Friday, December 10 2020. After extending his formal greetings, Jokowi and Motegi discussed several programs for the Indonesia-Japan economic ties. One of which, is the heavily contested Natuna region.

After communicating his appreciation for Japan's role in the development of the first integrated marine and fisheries center (SKPT) in Natuna, Jokowi has invited Japan to invest in the Natuna Waters, Riau Islands. "I hope the investment offer for the second phase can be followed up soon," said Jokowi.

The State Palace is Motegi’s penultimate stop, with his lecture in the ASEAN Secretariat being his last agenda on his first ASEAN Voyage, from the 5th to the 10th of January 2020.

DIO DAMIKA SUHENDA (INTERN)