Japanese study center opened

JAKARTA (JP): Cultural exchange between Indonesians and Japanese will be better facilitated with the official opening of the Center for Japanese Studies at the University of Indonesia's campus in Depok yesterday.

Marked by the opening address in both languages, the two-story building on the grounds of the Faculty of Letters was inaugurated by Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro.

The minister hoped the center could act as a "bridge" for both countries, "as opposed to a beachhead with respect to issues related to Japan."

The university's rector M.K. Tadjuddin said the center, headed by Hero Kuntjoro-Jakti, an expert on Japan, was developed for the increasing need to organize researchers on Japanese studies.

Facilities in the 6,269-square-meter building, designed by Japan's Matsuda Consultants, includes a guest house and seminar hall.

Funds of 1.36 million yen were raised from a Japanese aid project and the Indonesian government provided Rp 1.9 billion for its construction which began in March, 1994.

Kuntjoro-Jakti said there are four areas of study in the center's graduate program, economics and management, social sciences, humanities, science and technology.

The center is a development of the Department of Japanese Language set up in 1967, which was followed by a graduate program for Japanese studies in 1990. Last year the University began a doctorate degree program with the assistance of the Japan foundation.

Also present at the ceremony was Japanese envoy Taizo Watanabe, who addressed the audience in Indonesian. (anr)