TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia Yasuaki Tanizaki said that partnership between Indonesia and Japan is constantly on the rise. The increase, according to Tanizaki, is apparent in investments made by Japan in the economic, infrastructure, and tourism sector. In 2016, investment value between both countries has exceeded USD 5 billion.
"The increase was significant," Tanizaki said after a meeting with Vice President Jusuf Kalla on Monday, Marxh 27, 2017.
In the infrastructure sector, Japan and Indonesia are cooperation in the Patimbang Port construction in West Java, and the Surabaya-Jakarta high-speed train. Japan is also involved in the development of Indonesian outlying islands, such as Natuna and Morotai.
Yasuaki asserted that Indonesia and Japan are entering a new phase of cooperation and partnership. "Indonesia-Japan relationship is not only getting better, but stronger," Tanizaki said.
Meanwhile, in the tourism sector, the number of Indonesian tourists visiting Japan is also increasing. Tanizaki said that previously, there are 200,000 Indonesians who visited Japan. In 2016, the number increases to 250,000 tourists.
Vice President Jusuf Kalla said that bilateral partnership between Japan and Indonesia is important. Kalla hoped that the cooperation can be implemented, especially in the field of human resources.
"Japan has established cooperation [with Indonesia], but the Vice President hoped that cooperation can continue to improve," Tanizaki said.
AMIRULLAH SUHADA
