Japanese Embassy: Scholarship Programmes Play Key Role in Building Bilateral Cooperation

Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Japanese Embassy to Indonesia, Mitsuru Myochin, has highlighted the importance of scholarship programmes in bridging bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Japan. Speaking at the ‘Japan-Funded Scholarship Programs Alumni Gathering for Indonesia’ in Jakarta on Friday evening, he said that over the years, many Indonesian students have had the opportunity to study in Japan through scholarships provided by the Japanese Government. They then return to their homeland with knowledge, skills, and new perspectives to contribute to national development in their respective fields. “Many of you here today work in government, academia, and industry, making significant contributions not only to Indonesia’s progress but also to strengthening Japan-Indonesia relations,” Myochin said. He expressed optimism that the scholarship programmes would continue to play an important role in deepening mutual understanding and bilateral relations between the two countries. He stated that people-to-people connections, mutual trust, and shared aspirations are the main foundations of the partnership. The gathering in Jakarta was a continuation of similar events held in Manila, Philippines, and Dhaka, Bangladesh. Participants included alumni of scholarship programmes supported by the Japanese Government through the Asian Development Bank-Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP), the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank, as well as representatives from other partners. Executive Director for Japan at the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Shigeo Shimizu, said the alumni of Japanese government-funded scholarship programmes are not merely scholars but also key drivers of development. Armed with the experience gained while studying abroad, they have various ways to drive positive change in society through policy reform, application of technical expertise, building resilience, capacity building, and developing social entrepreneurship. “Your continued engagement is essential to achieving our shared goals,” Shimizu added.