On Monday, June 19, 2023, in the Bogor Presidential Palace in West Java Province, President Joko Widodo greeted the Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako for their first-ever bilateral state visit. According to President Jokowi, the visit might solidify the goodwill bonds between the people of Indonesia and Japan. The largest economy in Southeast Asia hosted Naruhito and Empress Masako from June 17–23 due to an invitation President Jokowi extended to the emperor during a visit to Tokyo last year.
President Jokowi said he felt incredibly honoured because Indonesia was the first nation visited by the monarch on his official bilateral state visit. In a press conference at Griya Anggrek, Bogor Botanical Garden, the President stated that the visit of His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress to Indonesia considerably deepened the foundation of friendship between their peoples. He added that the establishment of such a strong foundation is essential for the two nations’ strategic partnership, particularly in the area of the economy.
In light of the many issues facing the world today, according to President Jokowi, it is critical to maintain the growing relationship between Japan and Indonesia. It is hoped that His Majesty’s and Her Majesty the Queen’s visit to Indonesia will strengthen the bonds of friendship between Indonesia and Japan.
In recent years, Tokyo and Jakarta have strengthened their ties by taking various initiatives. Japanese officials have cited Indonesia’s developing economy’s significance and its strategic location near global shipping lanes.
The visit of the emperor falls on the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Indonesia and Japan as well as the 50th anniversary of Japanese and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) cooperation.
Emperor Naruhito expressed his happiness at being able to travel to Indonesia. They are able to acquire a deeper understanding of Indonesia’s multifaceted society and culture, as well as of its history and the histories of individuals who have laboured valiantly to advance the relationship between their two nations, as he put it in Japanese.
They visited a brand-new MRT train depot in Jakarta that was constructed with Japanese assistance, as well as a Tokyo-funded pumping station that controls flooding.
In addition to meeting the provincial emperor in Yogyakarta, Central Java, Naruhito also visited Borobudur, the most significant Buddhist temple in the world.
The Emperor thanked everyone for the gracious welcome and thorough description of the Bogor Botanical Gardens and its orchid collection, in addition to praying for the wellbeing of President Jokowi and Mrs. Iriana.
