H.E. Ambassador Yukio Takeuchi
H.E. Ambassador Yukio Takeuchi
What is your impression of Indonesia since your arrival nine months ago?
I have noticed many things. First, I am really impressed by the warm and friendship shown by Indonesians towards Japan. As for the changes in the political field, the election of the President and Vice President and the transfer of political power took place peacefully without any confusion. This is, in my opinion, an indication of the progress toward democracy in Indonesia. Furthermore, I believe that continuing efforts are also necessary to implement political and economic reforms, which aim at achieving economic recovery, enforcing the rule of law, and eradicating KKN, etc.
What kind of relationship is desirable between Indonesia and Japan?
From Japan's point of view, the peace and prosperity of Indonesia - a country with a vast territory and more than 200 million people - is essential for the peace and prosperity of the whole Asia-Pacific region. As fellow Asians, the two countries share common values and interests. For that reason, Japan has been trying to work toward broadening and deepening its friendly and cooperative relationship with Indonesia. As a true partner with Indonesia, Japan hopes that the Indonesian people can achieve peace, democracy, and a prosperious life, and Japan will assist Indonesia as much as possible. In my opinion, what's important is promoting a friendly and cooperative relationship, which can be described by the phrase "Berpikir Bersama, Berjalan Bersama" ("Think together, walk together"). We want to emphasize that Japan will not impose its own way of thinking upon Indonesia.
Then what do you think is important in order to promote a positive Japan-Indonesia relationship, particularly in the economic field ?
The present situation in Indonesia requires the implementation of reforms in various areas such as economic recovery, the eradication of poverty, and democratization. Therefore, I will do my best to support efforts in these areas which are being made by the Indonesian government and people. In the economic field, expanding employment opportunities critical to the eradication of poverty. Investment is therefore necessary to expand employment opportunities and to elevate the income level of the people. Political stability, consistent economic policies, the rule of law, and the eradication of KKN are essential in order to draw further investment from Japan. Thus, to help Indonesia creates an attractive investment environment, Japan, as the largest investor in Indonesia, has given advice and extended assistance to Indonesian counterparts. I also think that establishing a stable labor-management relationship is necessary to expand investment. Japan has been cooperating in these matters with the Indonesian government and labor unions. For the eradication of poverty, I believe that the upgrading of the quality of education in elementary and middle schools is a priority area for Japan`s aid. Japan is now in a difficult financial and economic situation. In spite of that, Japan continues to give economic and technical support to Indonesia, as much as possible, to help Indonesia's efforts towards self-reliance. Even though Indonesia's accumulated debt problem is inevitable, the Japanese government has announced a policy to assist Indonesia within the Paris Club framework.
How do you see the democratization process in Indonesia?
Japan believes assisting in the further development of democratization is important. As a friend, Japan is also assisting in Indonesia`s governance reform. In this regard, Japan is prepared to closely collaborate with Indonesian NGOs. To accelerate reform towards democratization, the Indonesian people need to be determined and persevering for the reforms towards democratization, including such problems as judicial reform, and the eradication of KKN. Indonesia, at present, enjoys a freedom of press, which I think is really marvelous. This is because free press contributes to enhancing political, administrative, and judicial transparency. I hope the Indonesian leaders will provide their visions and explain their policies quickly and accurately to the people by taking advantage of the freedom of press. The mass media, as one of the bearers of democratization, should convey news and information with a sense of responsibility. The Japanese Embassy actively provides information to the Indonesian people so that they can know the right information about true Japan, Japanese policy vis-a-vis Indonesia, including its economic and technical cooperation. The Indonesian parliament (DPR) is currently playing an important role, and has a responsibility to uphold democratic principles by way of performing a legislative function and maintaining a balance of power. The Japanese Embassy actively exchanges information and views with the members of DPR who are playing such an important role. For example, from the beginning of this year, we have begun to inform DPR members of the activities sponsored by Japan to promote the Japan - Indonesia cooperative relationship.
Could you please explain, in concrete terms, Japanese economic assistance to Indonesia ?
As a whole, Japanese economic assistance to Indonesia is comprised of loans and grants, and technical support which is implemented in many fields. For example, for the purpose of building an environment which attracts a stable influx of private investment from foreign countries, political stability and law enforcement are necessary. In this respect, Japan is prepared to actively assist Indonesia by sending experts on judicial reform and regional autonomy and also by receiving Indonesian trainees in Japan in these areas. Furthermore, it is also worth mentioning here that small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) are one of the pillars of the industrial base of a country and have been playing an indispensable role in assuring the availability of employment. Therefore, assisting SME development is an important element in helping Indonesia to recover and eradicate poverty. For that purpose, Japan is giving various schemes of assistance, based on the Urata Report which has been worked out to help develop Indonesia`s SMEs. In addition to the assistance in the agriculture and forestry fields, Japan is extending its cooperation in fields directly related to the lives of the Indonesian people, such as building schools and hospitals with grant assistance, and distributing a "maternal and child health book". Furthermore, to remove the bottle-neck hampering economic recovery, we have been giving assistance in the form of yen loans for building roads for the general public and for industrial use, and for the consolidation of community infrastructure in the regions. We are also planning on providing more asisistance in the fields of Information technology, electricity and gas. Besides the assistance on the government level, Japan is also attempting to hold dialogues with NGOs. For example, we have been assisting the NGOs and the local governments in Indonesia with our grass-roots grant assistance scheme which supports projects such as the construction of a special facility for street children in North Jakarta, helping displaced persons in the Maluku Province, and assistance for the flood victims in Nias Island. Although at the present Japan is in a difficult economic and financial situation while implementing the "Reform without Sanctuary" policy, as a fellow Asian friend to Indonesia, Japan would like to continue to give as much assistance as possible to Indonesia.
Speaking of economic cooperation, how does Japan view the result of the CGI (Consulatative Group on Indonesia) meeting held on the Nov. 7 and 8?
The recent CGI meeting was an opportunity for the international community to announce their intention to assist Indonesia which is working toward economic recovery. At the meeting, the donor countries also announced a pledge to give financial assistance to Indonesia for the fiscal year 2002 and expressed the hope that economic recovery in Indonesia could proceed further. Once again, despite the prevailing severe financial situation in Japan, we have pledged to extend financial assistance to help cover approximately one-third of Indonesia`s US$7 billion financing gap, by way of debt-rescheduling and disbursement of the approved assistance.
Are there any new developments in cultural and personnel exchange between the two countries ?
One relatively new development is the Art Summit Indonesia. This event is held every year with the participation of artists coming from many countries. This was the third year for the event, and three Japanese art groups participated. They were warmly welcomed by the spectators. However, I am not yet satisfied with the present situation of the cultural exchange between our two countries. We should endeavor more to deepen mutual understanding through cultural exchange. I want to encourage a more active cultural exchange between our countries, particularly through the Japan Foundation in Jakarta. Concerning the personnel exchange, the number of Indonesian students studying in Japan is increasing year by year. At present, more than 1,300 Indonesian students are studying in Japan per year. I am happy to observe that those who return home after their study are very active in various fields. We are trying to encourage many more talented Indonesian students and researchers to study in Japan.
You usually call the Japan-Indonesia relationship a "Partnership of thinking together, walking together", what do you mean by this phrase?
I believe that it is important for Japan to think together with Indonesia in determining what kind of assistance we can give to Indonesia, a country which is working hard to build a more democratic and prosperous nation while maintaining its unity amidst diversity. The Japanese feel a close affinity and respect for the Indonesian people and their culture. Without such a feeling of affinity and respect, no cooperative relationship could be built. Furthermore, both countries share common interests. For that reason, I am convinced that what is good for Indonesia is also good for Japan, and what is good for Japan is also good for Indonesia. To think of the Japan - Indonesia relationship, Japan will certainly not impose its own way of thinking in giving assistance to Indonesia's efforts towards economic recovery and the implementation of various reforms. Japan is cooperating with Indonesia as a true partner who wants to "think together, and walk together" with Indonesia. Indonesia is now going through a period of transition in which it will face challenges. I hope that the Indonesians pull together, bracing themselves to aptly face the challenges, in order to achieve political stability, economic development, and the advancement of democratization.