Japanese PM Welcomes Prabowo: Last Met at APEC Summit Where We Sat Side by Side
Prime Minister of Japan Sanae Takaichi expressed delight in welcoming President Prabowo Subianto to her country. She mentioned that the last time they met was when they sat side by side at the APEC Summit in South Korea.
“Welcome to Japan. I am very happy to meet Your Excellency again after our last meeting at the APEC Summit in South Korea last November, where we sat side by side,” said Sanae during the bilateral meeting session at Akasaka Palace, Tokyo, on Tuesday (31/3/2026).
Sanae stated that cooperation between Japan and Indonesia is progressing well, particularly in the economic and security sectors. She encouraged strengthening this cooperation to prosper the Indo-Pacific region.
“I am grateful for the progress in various areas of cooperation between Japan and Indonesia, especially in the fields of economy and security,” said Sanae.
“I want us to strengthen and prosper the Indo-Pacific region together for the realisation of a free and open Indo-Pacific,” she continued.
It is known that Prabowo is on his first official visit to Japan from 29-31 March 2026. Prabowo began the visit by meeting Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace, Tokyo, on 30 March. It was then followed by a meeting with the Japanese Prime Minister at Akasaka Palace today.
There was an attention-grabbing moment when world economic leaders attended the APEC Summit in Gyeongju, South Korea.
As is known, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi once invited President Prabowo Subianto to chat, even shifting her chair. That moment occurred during the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM), on Friday (31/10/2025) local time.
Prabowo and Takaichi appeared to be sitting side by side, about 1 metre apart. In front of them were table tags reading ‘Indonesia’ and ‘Japan’. Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono was seen standing behind Prabowo’s chair.
The friendly moment began when Takaichi noticed Prabowo beside her. Prabowo appeared focused on the papers on his table.
Takaichi then shifted her wheeled chair closer to Prabowo. Realising this, Prabowo immediately gave a gesture of respect by bowing his head.
Takaichi responded with a smile while appearing to discuss the documents on Prabowo’s table. The two then engaged in conversation.