Message from the Ambassador: 'Think together, walk together'

Today, Japan celebrates its national day. Opening this special supplement is an interview with Yukio Takeuchi, the Japanese ambassador to Indonesia.

Question: What impressions do you have as you look back at the nine months that have passed since your arrival in Indonesia?

Quite a lot. First, I am really impressed by the warm, friendly sentiments shown by Indonesians towards Japan. As for the vicissitudes in the political field, I see that the elections for President and Vice-President were held in a peaceful way, with the transfer of political power taking place without any confusion.

It is, in my opinion, an indication of the progress so far made for the sake of democracy in Indonesia. I understand that more efforts are necessary to implement various forms of reform, i.e. solving regional problems, achieving economic recovery, enforcing the rule of law, eradicating KKN (corruption, collusion and nepotism), etc.

What kind of relationship between Indonesia and Japan is desirable?

As for Japan, the peace and prosperity of Indonesia -- a large country with more than 200 million people -- is very important for the peace and prosperity of the whole Asia-Pacific region. As fellow Asian friends, the two countries share common values, and hold out benefits for each other. For that reason, Japan is endeavoring to expand and deepen the friendly relationship of cooperation with Indonesia which has been maintained for quite a long time up to the present day.

A true partner in building peace and prosperity in Indonesia as part of the quest for peace, democracy prosperity, Japan will extend any assistance that it can. The important thing in promoting friendly and cooperative relations is, I think, the spirit of "Think together, walk together" (Berpikir bersama, berjalan bersama"). We assure you that Japan will not impose its own way of thinking upon Indonesia.

As the Ambassador of Japan, what do you regard as being important in promoting the Japan-Indonesia relationship? Particularly in the economic field, what do you think?

For the present in Indonesia, the implementation of reform in various fields so as to bring about economic recovery and eradicate poverty, and the further development of democracy are the most important issues. As for me, I will do my best to support the efforts made by the Indonesian government and people in coping with such issues.

First, in the economic field, increased employment is very important for eradicating poverty. Investment is therefore necessary to enhance employment opportunities and to elevate the income level of the people. Japan is the largest investor in Indonesia. Political stability is the most important factor for the smooth running of Japanese enterprises operating in Indonesia and, further, for the expansion of investment.

And then, a set of reforms are necessary to make the environment more conducive for attracting investment. These reforms include consistent economic policies, law enforcement as the result of reform of the legal system, the eradication of KKN, etc. I think establishing stable labor-management relations are necessary for the expansion of investment. We have been collaborating on this matter with the Indonesian government and labor unions.

As for the eradication of poverty, priority should be given to elementary and middle school education. In this respect, the following matters are worth emphasizing.

Japan now finds itself in a difficult financial and economic situation. In spite of that, Japan is providing economic and technical cooperation for Indonesia, in the best possible way, to help Indonesia's efforts to achieve self-reliance. Moreover, as to the inevitable problem of Indonesia's accumulated debt, the Japanese government has clearly notified its willingness to assist Indonesia within the Paris Club framework.

What do you think about democratization in Indonesia?

Japan attaches importance to cooperation for the further development of democratization. As a friend, Japan is providing assistance for so-called governance reform. In this regard, Japan is also closely collaborating with Indonesian NGOs. To accelerate reform leading to democratization, it would be advisable for the Indonesian people to strive to the utmost to deal with such problems as law reform and the eradication of KKN.

I observe that nowadays Indonesia enjoys wide-ranging freedom of information, really something marvelous. This will contribute to enhancing political transparency, and transparency in administration and the legal system. It would delight me to see Indonesian leaders convey their visions and policies quickly and accurately to the common people, taking advantage of the freedom of the press.

The mass media, for their part, as standard bearers of democratization, should deliver news and information with a sense of responsibility. The Japanese Embassy would like to see the Indonesian people being informed about real things concerning Japan, and receiving accurate information about Japanese policy vis-a-vis Indonesia, including about economic and technical cooperation. We are endeavoring to ensure that news is provided in a positive way.

Furthermore, the House of Representatives (DPR) should assume the most important role and bear the responsibility of upholding democratic politics by way of exercising supervision over legislation and the administration. The Japanese Embassy actively exchanges information and views with the members of the House, who play such an important role. For example, for the first time this year, we have begun to provide explanations about Japanese - Indonesian cooperative relations to House members.

Could you please give some concrete examples of Japanese economic cooperation with Indonesia ?

As a whole, Japanese economic cooperation with Indonesia manifests itself in many fields in the form of loans and grants, and technical cooperation.

For example, to build an environment which is conducive to attracting stable flows of private investment from foreign countries, it is important that the administration and legal system run according to the laws. This must be based on political stability and security, and proper law enforcement. In this respect, Japan is actively cooperating and has sent experts on legal reform, regional autonomy, etc., and accepted Indonesian trainees. Furthermore, it is also worth mentioning here that small and medium enterprises have been playing an indispensable role in providing employment.

As small and medium enterprises constitute one of the pillars of the industrial base in the country, they are essential for economic recovery and the eradication of poverty in Indonesia. For such purposes, Japan is providing cooperation which consists of various assistance schemes, especially the completed Urata Report.

Social stability plays an important role in promoting food self-sufficiency and increasing harvests. That is why efforts have been and are continuing to be made for cooperation in farming, while we are also giving assistance for the preservation of forests and the undertaking of afforestation programs.

Furthermore, to remove the bottlenecks hampering economic recovery, we have been providing assistance in the form of yen loans for building roads for transportation and industrial use, as well as consolidating social infrastructure in the regions. At the same time, we are considering providing effective assistance also in the field of energy, such as electricity and gas, and in IT.

Moreover, in fields that are directly and closely related to the lives of the Indonesian people, such as basic education, health and hygiene, various activities are taking place under grant assistance schemes for the strengthening of schools and hospitals. These include the distribution of mother and child health report books with the help of experts from Japan.

Japan also frequently extends humanitarian emergency assistance, which includes the dispatch of medical teams and the provision of food, medicines, tents, etc., to the victims of natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods, and to refugees fleeing areas of conflict.

Besides cooperation at the government-to-government level, Japan is doing its utmost to hold dialogs and cooperate with NGOs. For example, under the grassroots grant assistance scheme, assistance has been given to NGOs engaged in work in Indonesia and to Indonesian regional administrations. In fiscal year 2000, assistance was given to 30 projects with the total amount involved being US$2 million; in fiscal year 2001, 10 projects were involved with the total amount being $700,000.

Although at present Japan is also gripped by economic and financial difficulties and is conducting "Reform without Sanctuary" -- while Indonesia itself is facing multifarious difficulties -- yet as fellow Asian friend, Japan will continue to engage in positive cooperation in so far as possible.

Speaking about economic cooperation, how does Japan see the outcome of the CGI meeting which was held last August?

Efforts are being earnestly made to bring about economic recovery. The recent CGI meeting was an opportunity for the international community to announce its intention of assisting Indonesia in its efforts to achieve economic recovery. It was decided at the meeting what financial assistance for fiscal 2002 would be provided. The donor countries have, accordingly, indicated their strong hope that the reform efforts in Indonesia can proceed

Japan, despite the prevailing difficult financial situation, has declared its intention of extending the greatest assistance possible, up to $7 billion, to cover the financing gap. With debt rescheduling and the disbursement of the approved assistance included, the whole amount will cover one third of the overall financing gap.

Any new developments in respect of cultural exchange programs between the two countries ?

The Art Summit Indonesia is held every year and involves the participation of artists from many countries. This year's was the third in which Japan participated. We had three art troupes coming over and these were warmly welcomed by the spectators. However, I am not yet satisfied with the present cultural exchange situation between our two countries. We should make more efforts geared towards deeper mutual understanding through cultural exchange. Cultural exchange activities should be further developed, particularly by the Japan Foundation in Jakarta and other organizations.

Regarding personnel exchange, the number of Indonesian students studying in Japan is increasing from year to year. At present, more than 1,300 Indonesian students study in Japan every year. I am happy to observe that those who return home after completing their studies are very active in various fields. We are trying to make it possible for many talented Indonesian students and researchers to study in Japan

Ambassador, you usually describe the Japan-Indonesia relationship as a "Partnership of thinking together, walking together". What do you mean by that?

I think it is important for Japan to extend its hand to assist Indonesia in the best possible way as Indonesia is endeavoring to build a democratic and prosperous nation while maintaining its unity in diversity. Both countries could work hand in hand so as to achieve common aims. The Japanese people feel a close affinity with and respect for the Indonesian people and their culture. Without such feelings of affinity and respect, no cooperative relationship could be built. Furthermore, both countries also share common interests. For that reason, I am convinced that what is good for Indonesia is also good for Japan, and what is good for Japan is also good for Indonesia. In such a Japan - Indonesia relationship, Japan will certainly not impose its own way of thinking in assisting the efforts being made to bring about economic recovery and implement various reforms in Indonesia. Being true partners, it is cooperation between two friends who "Think together, and walk together".

Indonesia is now passing through a period of transition during which it has to face many challenges. I keep on imploring the Indonesian people to pull together, and to brace themselves to aptly face the challenges in order to achieve political stability, economic development and the advancement of democratization.