RI and Japan's relations toward the 21st century

RI and Japan's relations toward the 21st century

Question: First, what is your impression of the past year in Indonesia?

Indonesia is now in a period of profound transformation towards democratization. Lots of significant events are taking place. For example, now the annualized meeting of the MPR took place for the first time in August. On the economic front, not just macro-economic indicators, but the real economy starts finally to look up; it is significant indeed after a couple of years of crisis situation, although reform efforts naturally remain to be pursued. The annual MPR meeting dealt with such big challenging issues facing Indonesia as the amendment of the Constitution, implementing regional autonomy, addressing the economic crisis, etc. Observing these deliberations, it appears that Indonesia is definitely entering a new era, one of positive change. Indonesia is making steady progress in its reform process under the leadership of President Abdurrahman Wahid. As an old friend of Indonesia, Japan supports these efforts of reform and will spare nothing to assist in the future.

Question: What message did Japan convey at the CGI meeting held last month in Tokyo?

During the CGI (Consultative Group on Indonesia) meeting in Tokyo, we had frank discussions about Indonesia's challenges. Structural reforms, poverty alleviation, good governance, regional autonomy, etc. were high on the agenda. Donor countries welcomed the detailed and clear explanation given by Indonesia's ministers on these important issues, and encouraged further efforts to continue the reform process. Japan asserted that the stability of Indonesia is crucial to the stability of Asia as a whole.

The meeting was a great success. Commitments from donors to fill the financial gap for fiscal year 2001 were obtained, and clear international support to ensure Indonesia's stability was affirmed. At the CGI meeting, Japan, as Indonesia's largest donor country, expressed its determination to assist in the most positive manner the reform efforts in Indonesia. This is in spite of the fact that Japan itself is now facing a tough economic situation domestically. Japan's pledge of approximately 1,600,000,000 dollars is the biggest sum among the donor countries, and represents more than one third of the entire aid package. Japan stressed that now is the right time to shift over to a new mid-and-long term assistance scheme from the previous emergency scheme. In order to respond to the demands for the socio-economic development of Indonesia, the government of Japan will act by employing various aid schemes such as yen loans, grant aid, and technical cooperation in a flexible manner, putting emphasis on areas of high priority and urgency for Indonesia.

Question: Anxious voices are heard within the country saying that the assistance, which is badly needed by the lower ranks of the people, is only directed to the settlement of the debt incurred by problematic banks.

That is not true. In the recent CGI, there was a strong focus, for example, on concrete programs for the eradication of poverty. Moreover, on a bilateral level, Japan has since 1997 provided social safety net assistance as an emergency measure to help Indonesia grapple with the economic crisis, putting emphasis on food, education, health, and employment. Japan also extends grants and technical assistance for the development of small and medium scale enterprises and human-resources development. In addition, apart from government-to-government cooperation, Japan is also giving so-called "grassroots assistance" directly to Indonesian NGOs. Last year a total of 1,200,000 US$ was provided under this scheme for 22 projects, and this year to date, a total of 820,000 US$ was disbursed for 14 projects.

Question: In review of the Japan-Indonesia relationship, do you think that a big change has taken place during the past year?

It was really a tragedy for Japan that Prime Minister Obuchi passed away in May. When Mr. Obuchi fell ill, President Abdurrahman Wahid immediately went to Japan to visit him at the hospital. During his visit to Japan, the President held talks with new leader Prime Minister Mori, and conducted very useful exchange of views for Japan-Indonesia relations.

There had been an agreement between Prime Minister Obuchi and President Wahid for the establishment of JIANT (Japan Indonesian Advisory Network). Its first meeting was held in July of this year in Jakarta. JIANT is comprised of intellectuals from both countries who give direct advice to both top leaders. Wide- ranging and frank exchanges of views were highlights of the first meeting, touching upon not only political and economic topics, but also cultural exchange.

The close relations between Japan and Indonesia do not occur solely on the government-to-government level. Presently well above 10,000 Japanese are residing in Indonesia and over 1000 Japanese companies are operating here. Many of the Japanese companies have not withdrawn from Indonesia despite the prolonged economic crisis. They opted to continue business activities alongside their Indonesian partners. I hear that quite a number of those companies have succeeded in overcoming the crisis, and are enjoying increased sales output especially in the manufacturing export sector.

In light of such examples, I have the impression that, as the proverb says "A friend in need is a friend indeed", the relations between Indonesia and Japan are growing steadfastly and over a wide range of endeavors.

Question: Is there any new development in the field of cultural and personal exchange?

This year the Jakarta Japan Club is celebrating its 30th anniversary and has held a "Japan Week" with a series of cultural events taking place mainly in Jakarta. The Japan Week featured Ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement), Sado (tea ceremony), Japanese martial arts, music, etc., which encouraged the deepening of cultural exchange with the Indonesian people.

I should mention too that an increasing number of Indonesian students are travelling to Japan for further studies. Every year up to 150 Indonesian students leave their homeland to study in Japan on scholarships granted by the Japanese government. Currently more than 1200 Indonesian students are studying in Japan on some scheme of scholarship or other as well as those studying at their own expense. Those students are active and successful in their own fields after returning to Indonesia. Moreover JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) also manages a youth exchange program, while the Management and Coordination Agency of the government of Japan administers the "Ship for Southeast Asian Youths" program. It is through such programs that the exchange of opinions and cultures are taking place among the young people from various countries. I am firmly convinced that it is only through these intensified personal and cultural exchanges that the both peoples of Japan and Indonesia will be able to really deepen and widen their relationship.

Question: Finally, what is your impression of Indonesia after 3 years of residence here?

Indonesia is an endlessly fascinating country endowed with great diversity, as reflected in Bhinneka Tunggal Ika. It is my belief that I should get to know the country with my own eyes. Therefore, I tried to travel to as many places as possible. So far, I have visited 20 provinces. All were very interesting, and I experienced rich local customs and received warm hospitality. I think Indonesia is a nation which has large potential in various areas including human resources. I am convinced that Indonesia could strengthen its nation and make headway towards economic progress, if that rich potential is properly cultivated. I know Indonesian people will overcome the current difficulties with the inherited spirit of "musyawarah" (discussion for consensus) and "gotong royong" (communal allocation of tasks), and through encouraging the wisdom of the people. We trust Indonesia will continue to develop and progress into the 21st century. Japan will, of course, spare no efforts to assist Indonesia towards this goal.