Japanese Embassy receives Indonesian gastrodiplomacy book
Jakarta — The Japanese Embassy in Jakarta has formally received the book “Taste of Nusantara: 80 Bhayangkara Menu for Indonesia’s Free Nutritious Meals Programme”, which represents Indonesia’s gastrodiplomacy in East Asia.
According to a press release from the Indonesian National Police (POLRI) on Wednesday, the volume was handed by Deputy Chief of Police Komjen Pol Dedi Prasetyo to the Chargé d’Affaires ad Interim of the Japanese Embassy, Myochin Mitsuru, during an iftar gathering with the Ikatan Sakura Indonesia (ISI) in Jakarta.
The press release stated that the book was written by Deputy Chief of Police Komjen Pol Dedi Prasetyo and Dirgayuza Setiawan, Special Assistant to the President for Policy Communication and Analysis.
According to Dirgayuza, the book was produced as a bridge in Indonesia’s policy communication to the world.
“Through a universal cultural approach, the international community can understand how Indonesia runs the Free Nutritious Meals Programme with the strength of local wisdom and diverse national foods,” Dirgayuza said.
Meanwhile, Commissioner General Dedi Prasetyo noted that the jointly written book embodies a synergy between policy, culture, and the contributions of state institutions in supporting national priority programmes.
According to Dedi, the book is a tangible contribution to presenting Indonesia’s humane, culturally strong, and progressive policy face.
“Its presence in various world centres demonstrates that Indonesian gastrodiplomacy can be an important and aligned part of national diplomacy,” Dedi asserted.
The statement noted that the book has also been handed to the Indonesian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Desra Percaya, in London as a symbol of strengthening cultural diplomacy in Europe.
Additionally, the book, also known as “Rasa Bhayangkara Nusantara”, was showcased at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, highlighting the synergy of strategic policy, culture, and Indonesia’s social programmes.
The statement also indicated that the book is part of the diplomacy surrounding President Prabowo Subianto’s visits to the United States, followed by Jeddah and the Japanese Embassy, where the book broadens Indonesia’s diplomatic network in the Middle East and East Asia.
The press release stated that the “Rasa Bhayangkara Nusantara” book not only contains 80 nutritious dishes from across Indonesia but also carries a broader message about the implementation of POLRI’s Free Nutritious Meals Programme as a national priority.
The book stands as evidence that the work of the nation’s citizens and the Bhayangkara Nusantara spirit has transcended borders, strengthening Indonesia’s position on the global stage through an inclusive, communicative, and internationally competitive approach.