Gobel: Japan is Serious About Investing - No Mere Formalities
JAKARTA – Chairman of the Indonesia-Japan Friendship Association (PPIJ), Rachmat Gobel, emphasised that Japan is truly committed to realising its investments in Indonesia. “This is not mere formalities or diplomatic niceties stemming from President Prabowo Subianto’s visit to Japan. The challenge lies at the field implementation level,” he said on Thursday, 2 April 2026.
He made this statement in response to the signing of 10 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between Japan and Indonesia that took place in Tokyo during the Indonesian President’s visit to the country. The MoUs are valued at $22.6 billion or approximately Rp384 trillion. The MoUs are, first, between Kaltim Methanol Industry and PT Pupuk Kalimantan Timur on methanol production using CO2 emissions from PKT in Bontang. Second, between Inpex and Pertamina, in the form of strategic cooperation for the development of the Abadi gas field in the Masela Block. Third, between Inpex and Pertamina Hulu Energi on a memorandum of understanding for potential partnership opportunities in the upstream oil and gas sector in Indonesia and Southeast Asia. Fourth, between Hayashi Kinzoku Co Ltd and PT Eblo Teknologi Indonesia Development on the semiconductor ecosystem between Indonesia and Japan, involving the design and manufacture of electronic and AI chips. Fifth, between Inpex and PT Supreme Energy Rajabasa on a memorandum of understanding regarding various activities towards the realisation of the Rajabasa geothermal power plant project. Sixth, between PT Bank SMBC Indonesia and PT Pegadaian on the gold ecosystem and financial inclusion in Indonesia. Seventh, between 2Way World and PT Nose Herbal Indo on a strategic beauty partnership between Indonesia and Japan. Eighth, between SMBC Aviation Capital with Danantara and Mandiri Investment Management on the Mandiri Aviation Leasing Fund. Ninth, between JETRO and Danantara Investment Management to strengthen cooperation between JETRO and PT Danantara Investment Management. Tenth, between the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin Jepang) and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin Indonesia) on cooperation in trade and investment.
Currently, there is an opinion that these MoUs are mostly long-standing projects that have not yet truly progressed. Meanwhile, those that are genuinely new are less than 10 per cent. Therefore, there is a view that these MoUs will stop at the signing stage and not be realised. In response to this, Rachmat Gobel conveyed that Japan is very serious about realising these investment agreements. “For that reason, when Mr President Prabowo stated that if there are any obstacles on the ground, they should immediately report to him. In addition, in his speech, Mr President conveyed assurances of providing certainty and comfort in investing in Indonesia. The Japanese businesspeople immediately applauded. That is what they have been waiting for, because the obstacles are on the ground,” he said.
Gobel said that ministers and government officials from central to regional levels must be able to provide ease for investments and adjust regulations. “Especially in the current global situation that is moving dynamically,” he said.
As an example, Gobel is confident that the Masela Block project as well as the MoU with Mandiri Investment will be realised. In addition, there have already been meetings between the President and CEOs of top Japanese companies from JBIC, Mitsubishi, Mitsui, Tokyo Gas, Marubeni, Sumitomo, Sojitz, Toyota, Panasonic, Inpex, and Takeda. Also present were leaders of Keidanren, the association of Japanese companies. “They are the decision-makers, so it is hoped that this can be more concrete, hence the appropriate meeting with Mr Rosan,” he said.