Japanese aid for National Museum

JAKARTA (JP): The Japanese embassy has given the National Museum audio-visual and recording equipment worth 47 million yen (US$400,000).

The equipment was handed over on Friday to Minister of Education and Culture Juwono Sudarsono by the Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia Takao Kawakami.

Kawakami said the assistance was designed to help preserve the Indonesian culture and to increase the friendship between Japan and Indonesia.

"In the future an increasing number of Japanese tourists who are expected to visit the museum will get the benefits of the equipment," he said after a ceremony to hand over the equipment at the museum on Jl. Merdeka Barat, Central Jakarta.

The equipment donated also includes a projector and monitor system and a telecine system.

Juwono said that the assistance was welcome at a time when the country is facing severe financial difficulties.

He said he hoped the equipment would be well maintained. "One of our biggest weaknesses is poor maintenance," he added.

He said the museum was expected to play a more important role in promoting and preserving Indonesian culture.

"I expect that many people, especially Indonesians, will come to visit the museum," he said. (jun)