Joint Press Statement President of the Republic of Indonesia and Prime Minister of Japan Tuesday, 20 October 2020 at the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java Province

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

 Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

 His Excellency Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga,

It is an honor for me and all Indonesian people to welcome the arrival of Prime Minister of Japan, His Excellency Yoshihide Suga and delegations.

The visit to Indonesia is part of Prime Minister Suga’s first series of visits after being appointed as Japanese Prime Minister in September. This shows the importance of Indonesia and the Southeast Asian region. This visit also reflects a shared commitment to continue strengthening the strategic partnership between Japan and Indonesia. In the midst of a world full of uncertainty, this visit shows that we choose to work together and support each other.

Some of the things we have discussed in the meeting include:

First, cooperation in managing the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Japan has been an important partner for Indonesia in mitigating the pandemic, including the evacuation of 69 Indonesian crew members from the Diamond Princess Ship in Yokohama.

And I welcome the signing of the memorandum on health cooperation between Indonesia and Japan on 19 October. Indonesia appreciates Japan’s commitment and contribution to the establishment of the ASEAN COVID-19 Response Fund.

I also invite Japan to strengthen health governance in the region to deal with future pandemics, including the establishment of the ASEAN Center for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases.

Second, Prime Minister Suga and I have agreed on the importance of establishing the Travel Corridor Arrangement for essential businesses. We also agreed to assign Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Japan and Indonesia to negotiate the details and to finalize them within one month.

Third, we also discussed efforts to strengthen cooperation in the economic field. Japan is one of Indonesia’s strategic partners in the economic sector. I welcome the relocation and expansion of investment from Japanese companies to Indonesia, such as Denso, Sagami, Panasonic, Mitsubishi Chemical and Toyota.

I also ask Japan’s attention to the problem of import permits for agricultural products, forestry products and fishery products from Indonesia. I also encourage Japan to participate in Indonesia’s Sovereign Wealth Fund.

Fourth, Indonesia-Japan partnership in strengthening multilateral cooperation. I emphasize the importance of the spirit of cooperation to continue to be strengthened, especially in the midst of increasingly sharp rivalries between the world’s great powers.The spirit of inclusive cooperation also needs to be promoted in the context of Indo-Pacific cooperation as reflected in the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. I also underline the hope that the South China Sea can continue to be a sea of peace and stability.

That concludes my statement. Next I’d like invite Prime Minister Suga to deliver his statement.

I thank you.

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

Translated by Estu Widyamurti
Reviewed by M. Ersan Pamungkas