Indonesia and Japan explore park partnership to boost standards

Indonesia’s Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni discussed the plan with Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park Director Shichimeko Shuichi and Ikuo Yamada from Japan’s Ministry of the Environment in Hakone on Sunday.

“This initiative aims to strengthen the global recognition of Indonesia’s national parks,” Raja said in a statement in Jakarta on Monday.

He said potential partner parks include Kerinci Seblat National Park, Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, and Mount Rinjani National Park.

“This sister park partnership is expected to improve park management through the exchange of knowledge, experience, and best practices in conservation and ecotourism,” he added.

Raja said Japan’s Ministry of the Environment welcomed the proposal and called for follow-up through a technical workshop to further discuss the partnership.

The workshop is expected to serve as an initial forum to develop an implementable and sustainable framework.

Earlier on Saturday, Antoni signed a memorandum of understanding with the governor of Japan’s Shizuoka Prefecture on wildlife protection and conservation, focusing on a Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) breeding loan program.

He said the sister park initiative and the Komodo breeding program are part of efforts to strengthen Indonesia-Japan relations during President Prabowo Subianto’s visit.

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Translator: Arnidhya Nur, Raka Adji