Shifting bilateral relations into global partnership<\/p>\n
By Seiichi Okawa<\/p>\n
Ambassador designate, Taizo Watanabe, who arrived in Indonesia
\nthis week said in an interview with The Jakarta Post that he was
\ndelighted to head the Japanese mission in Jakarta as the climate
\nand the atmosphere in Southeast Asia suits him well. The
\ninterview was held in Tokyo last week.<\/p>\n
TOKYO (JP): "Business and economics", that is probably the
\nmost often used description of Japan-Indonesia relations in the
\npast.<\/p>\n
Japan's new ambassador designate to Jakarta, Taizo Watanabe
\npromises to expand upon this important focus to include other
\nareas as well.<\/p>\n
The 60-year old Watanabe, one of Japan's most able diplomats,
\nwas chosen by Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama to succeed
\nrecently departed Ambassador Kimio Fujita who is now president of
\nthe Japan International Cooperation Agency.<\/p>\n
"The economic-business aspects are of course important, but
\njust as important are cultural exchanges between the two
\ncountries," Watanabe said, revealing his approach to bilateral
\nties.<\/p>\n
Married with four children, Watanabe arrived with his wife,
\nHaruko, in Jakarta on Thursday to begin what is anticipated to be
\na fruitful tenure as ambassador.<\/p>\n
"I have finished reading some 20 books on Indonesia and found
\nthat this country boasts a variety of exceptional art," he said.<\/p>\n
Watanabe vowed to savor and learn to appreciate the various
\ncultures here.<\/p>\n
Born in Tokyo, Watanabe is a graduate of Law from the
\nUniversity of Tokyo. He entered the Gaimusho, the Japanese
\nministry of foreign affairs, in 1956.<\/p>\n
He began his diplomatic career with brief postings in the
\nUnited States and Kenya before being assigned as First Secretary
\nat the Japanese embassy in London.<\/p>\n
Upon his return to Japan in 1972, Watanabe was given the honor
\nof serving as private secretary to the Chief Cabinet Secretary
\nafter which other senior positions in the Gaimusho were soon to
\nfollow.<\/p>\n
In 1983 Watanabe was posted to Thailand where he was deputy
\nchief of the embassy in Bangkok. However this assignment lasted
\nonly a year because he was transferred to Los Angeles as
\nConsulate-General.<\/p>\n
Following his stint on the west coast of America, Watanabe
\nmoved to the east coast as deputy to the ambassador in
\nWashington.<\/p>\n
In 1989, Watanabe returned to Tokyo to serve as Gaimusho's
\nspokesperson until 1992 after which he was selected as Ambassador
\nto Egypt.<\/p>\n
Coming on the heels of his tenure in Cairo, Watanabe admits he
\nis genuinely looking forward to coming to Jakarta.<\/p>\n
"I'm very happy to be able to serve in Jakarta...especially
\nsince my wife and I love tropical fruits such as durian and
\nmangoes."<\/p>\n
When asked why he had moved to Jakarta earlier, Watanabe said
\nthat he had numerous family affairs to attend to in Tokyo.<\/p>\n
"I was thinking of attending the Aug. 17 celebrations, but I
\nfelt it was better to conclude my personal affairs first so that
\nwhen I arrived in Jakarta I could fully concentrate on my work,"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Watanabe's four grown children are all pursuing careers of
\ntheir own in Japan. The youngest one recently acquired a job at
\nthe Yomiuri daily newspaper and will start working as a
\njournalist next April.<\/p>\n
Though none of the Watanabes' children will escort them to
\nJakarta, it certainly doesn't mean the ambassador won't have
\nanything to occupy his free time.<\/p>\n
Watanabe and his wife have adopted four other "children",
\ntheir cats Pyonko, Antenna, Salt and Pepper.<\/p>\n
"My wife loves cats, so I have to come to like them too," he
\nexplained.<\/p>\n
Watanabe said that three of his feline friends "served" with
\nhim in Cairo and they will again accompany the ambassador and his
\nwife to Jakarta.<\/p>\n
The latter, Pepper, won't be coming because the nine year old
\ncat has a very "independent attitude."<\/p>\n
If he can break free from his daily chores of nursing the
\ncats, Watanabe can probably be found spending his free time
\ntrying to improve on his 18 handicap.<\/p>\n
He admits to being an ardent golfer and swimmer and also lists
\ntraveling as a major hobby.<\/p>\n
During his stay in Cairo, Watanabe was impressed by the sounds
\nof people reciting the Koran rekindling his interest in music and
\nthe arts.<\/p>\n
"Though I'm not good at singing karaoke, I do like to get
\ntogether for a sing-a-long," he said.<\/p>\n
When confronted for his views on the many contentious issues
\nprevailing in Indonesian politics, Watanabe diplomatically said
\nthat he would first like to learn more about the situation and
\nobtain information in Jakarta before commenting on them.<\/p>\n
"I'm not a diplomat who easily remarks on something without
\nfirst confirming its validity," he answered.<\/p>\n
However Watanabe was secure in noting the positive
\ndevelopments of President Soeharto's leadership over the past 25
\nyears.<\/p>\n
Speaking about bilateral relations with Indonesia, Watanabe
\nstrongly believes that ties should shift from merely a bilateral
\nsphere to a global perspective.<\/p>\n
He points to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting due
\nto be held in Jakarta and Indonesia's leadership of the Non-
\naligned Movement as prime examples.<\/p>\n
Watanabe also sees a strong need to start up an easy and open
\nline of communication between the countries to create a better
\nmutual understanding of the peoples.<\/p>\n
"I'm confident that I can be a catalyst in furthering dialog
\nbetween Japan and this important country," he said.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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