Prabowo meets PM Takaichi, welcomed by official ceremony at Akasaka Palace

Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto met with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi as part of an official visit at Akasaka Palace, Tokyo, Japan, on Tuesday. According to information received, the meeting began with a solemn and honourable official welcoming ceremony, reflecting the close diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Japan. Upon arrival at Akasaka Palace, President Prabowo was greeted by PM Takaichi. The two leaders then posed for photographs together before proceeding to the Hagoromo-no-ma room, the main venue for the official welcoming ceremony. In the Hagoromo-no-ma room, official delegations from both countries were lined up neatly to welcome the arrival of the two leaders. PM Takaichi then directed President Prabowo to the prepared honour podium. The ceremony continued with the playing of the national anthems of both countries alternately, followed by salutes from the honour guard. This moment symbolised high respect and the strengthening of friendship between the two nations. Next, President Prabowo and PM Takaichi conducted an inspection of the honour guard. Afterwards, the two leaders paid respects to each other’s national flags as a form of mutual respect for sovereignty and international friendship. After the welcoming ceremony, President Prabowo and PM Takaichi introduced their respective delegations. Subsequently, the leaders and delegations from both countries moved to the Asahi-no-ma room to hold bilateral talks. In that meeting, PM Takaichi delivered a welcome address to President Prabowo and the Indonesian delegation. “President Prabowo Subianto and all delegates from the Republic of Indonesia, welcome to Japan. I am very pleased to meet Your Excellency again,” said PM Takaichi. President Prabowo also expressed appreciation for the warm welcome, while recounting his meeting with the Emperor of Japan. “I would like to express my utmost thanks for the warm welcome from Your Excellency and the Government of Japan. I was also very well received by His Majesty Emperor Naruhito yesterday,” said President Prabowo. As the conclusion of the series of activities, the two leaders were scheduled to deliver a joint press statement in the Sairan-no-ma room before attending an official luncheon. The entire series of activities reflects the strong commitment of both countries to strengthening mutually beneficial and sustainable bilateral relations. In the bilateral meeting, President Prabowo was accompanied by several ministers from the Merah Putih Cabinet, namely Foreign Minister Airlangga Hartarto, Foreign Minister Sugiono, Minister of Investment and Downstreaming Rosan Roeslani, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia, Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, Minister of Communication and Digital Meutya Hafid, Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Brian Yuliarto, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, and Ambassador of Indonesia to Japan Nurmala Kartini Pandjaitan Sjahrir.