President Prabowo and Emperor Naruhito avoid politics in Tokyo discussions
He said the bilateral discussion focused on celebrating longstanding ties between Indonesia and Japan as strategic partners.
“As we all know, the emperor sits as a national symbol of Japan. Hence, the discussion did not revolve around political matters; it emphasized bilateral relations and people-to-people ties,” Sugiono said in a statement cited in Jakarta on Tuesday.
The minister added that President Prabowo and Emperor Naruhito spent about 20 minutes talking about people-to-people contacts, with the Japanese monarch expressing hope for the proper treatment of Indonesian citizens living in Japan.
He noted that Emperor Naruhito also highlighted the importance of the two countries engaging in more open communications to deepen connections between their peoples.
“In the event of concerns requiring attention, the Japanese side urged us to convey them so that both nations can foster a genuinely tight bond between their societies,” Sugiono explained.
After the cordial talks, the president met Japanese Crown Prince Fumihito, the emperor’s younger brother, in a separate meeting.
Following the formal session, President Prabowo, Emperor Naruhito, and Crown Prince Fumihito attended a state luncheon at Rensui North, a section of the Imperial Palace complex known for its classical architecture.
Minister Sugiono accompanied the president during the engagements, alongside Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, among others.
As part of his Japan agenda, Prabowo also attended the Indonesia-Japan Business Forum with several ministers and national business actors.
The forum resulted in 10 business-to-business agreements worth US$22.6 billion, reflecting strong prospects for deeper economic ties between Indonesia and Japan, including through key sectors such as industry, energy, and technology.
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Translator: Maria C, Tegar Nurfitra