Japan PM Suga Visits Indonesia, Health Cooperation Agreement Signed

General259 Views
banner 468x60

Durian. Japan Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga arrived in Indonesia’s capital on Oct.20 for his three-day official visit where he met Indonesian President Joko Widodo at Bogor Presidential Palace, outskirt Jakarta to discuss various bilateral issues including health cooperation.

The visit is PM Suga’s first overseas trip after taking office on Sept. 16. He is accompanied by his spouse Mariko Suga.

banner 336x280

“It is reflecting [our] mutual commitment to strengthen strategic partnership between Japan and Indonesia. In the midst of world’s uncertainty, this visit reflects that we choose to cooperate and support each other,” President Widodo expressed his gratitude on PM Suga’s visit.

The two leaders have discussed some issues during bilateral meeting such as pandemic handling cooperation including vaccine regime.

“I welcome the signing of cooperation agreement on health between Indonesia and japan on Oct.19,” President Widodo said after the meeting.

He said Indonesia and Japan have similar vision on multilateralism on covid-19 vaccine including equal and accessible vaccine.

“I invite Japan to strengthen health management in the region to face future pandemic including the forming of Asean [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] Center for Public Health Emergency and Emerging Disease,” said the president who marks his one-year in office in the second term on Oct.20.

Both leaders agreed on the important of forming travel corridor agreement (TCA) for business essential that is expected to be finalized within one month. Foreign ministers of the two countries will discuss further about TCA.

Economic Cooperation

President Widodo conveyed his appreciation regarding relocation of several Japan companies – Denso, Sagami, Panasonic, Mitsubishi Chemical and Toyota – to Indonesia when discussed on economic cooperation with PM Suga.

Import permit for Indonesian agriculture, forestry and fisheries products was raised by President Widodo in the meeting.

“I encouraged Japan to participate in Indonesia’s Sovereign Wealth Fund,” he addede.

Regional Issues

On regional security aspects, President Widodo and PM Suga have discussed on the importance of spirit to strengthening cooperation in the midst of escalation world’s main power rivalry.

President Widodo said Indo-Pacific inclusive cooperation spirit should be prioritized “as it’s reflected in Asean Outlook on the Indo-Pacific”.

“I am underlining hope that South China Sea can still become a peaceful and stable sea. It all can be implemented if all countries respect international laws, particularly UNCLOS [United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea] 1982,” President Widodo stressed.

Batik Face Mask

Prime Minister Suga expressed his commitment to cooperate with Indonesia as he was happy for visiting the biggest country in Asean during his first official overseas trip.

He said Japan would keep working together with Indonesia for peace and prosperity in the region based on the two countries strategic partnership.

Public eyes focused on PM Suga’s face mask which was dark-blue Megamendung Batik motif from West Java’s Cirebon.

While Mrs. Suga was wearing two different Batik motifs for their first day visit, purple and cream color.

banner 336x280