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.