In Front of Japanese Businesspeople, Prabowo: Indonesia Today Is Not the Indonesia You Knew

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - President Prabowo Subianto stated that Indonesia today is different from the Indonesia known to Japanese businesspeople 20-25 years ago. In front of Japanese businesspeople, Prabowo claimed that Indonesia has moved very quickly and transformed to become more competitive. “You must know that Indonesia today is no longer the Indonesia you knew 20 or 25 years ago. We are moving faster than before. We are striving to become more competitive and are determined to enter a new phase of growth,” said Prabowo at the Indonesia-Japan Business Forum held at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo on Monday (30/3/2026). He stated that his presence at the business forum in Japan was to support the continuity of cooperation. “I am here not only to continue the existing partnership but to push it to a higher and faster level,” he explained. Prabowo said that close cooperation is needed in an increasingly connected world. “The world is getting smaller. There is no other choice but close cooperation in all fields. I believe that strong economic relations and partnerships will produce sustainable peace and friendship. If we have common interests, we will safeguard the present and the future,” he said. Furthermore, he emphasised that Japan is a very important partner for Indonesia. Economic relations between the two countries have been established for decades with significant contributions from Japanese companies in various sectors. “Japan has consistently supported Indonesia’s economic development. Many of you in this room have been part of that journey. You have been in Indonesia for a long time. You know Indonesia well—its people, market, culture, and potential,” said Prabowo. Not only that, he considers Japan as Indonesia’s most trusted economic partner. According to Prabowo, Japanese investment has high quality with characteristics of discipline, mastery of technology, and long-term commitment. “Japan brings quality to investments—discipline, technology, and long-term commitment. That is why Japanese investment is respected, not only in Indonesia but also around the world, and personally, I greatly appreciate this relationship,” he said.