Welcomed by Indonesian Diaspora in Japan, Prabowo Becomes the Centre of Attention for Selfies and Autographs

President Prabowo Subianto is undertaking his first official visit to Tokyo, Japan. His arrival was welcomed by the Indonesian diaspora in Japan.

Observations by detikcom on Sunday (29/3/2026) showed that Prabowo arrived at Haneda Airport in Tokyo around 7:15 p.m. local time. Prabowo and his entourage then proceeded to their accommodation using the presidential vehicle.

Prabowo’s accommodation was already crowded with diaspora members who had arrived earlier. Some were seen wearing batik and carrying small red-and-white flags.

Prabowo greeted them one by one with handshakes as he entered his accommodation. The diaspora eagerly shook hands and took selfies with Prabowo.

Prabowo paused briefly while greeting the diaspora. He was seen signing books brought by two diaspora members. The books were his works titled ‘Strategi Transformasi Bangsa Menuju Indonesia Emas 2045’ and ‘Paradoks Indonesia dan Solusinya’.

Taufiqurrahman Akmal (28), an Indonesian diaspora in Japan working as an engineer, received a memento from Prabowo. Taufiq said he came to the accommodation to see the president in person.

“Of course, first, I wanted to see the figure of Indonesia’s leader who leads 280 million people in person. Second, not everyone gets the opportunity to meet directly, so we also want to convey aspirations from the community in a somewhat unique way, by showing books written by Mr Prabowo himself,” said Taufiq at the location.

Taufiq conveyed hopes that the president and officials could meet with the Indonesian diaspora community to directly absorb their aspirations. He hoped that input from the diaspora could be heard directly.

“Concretely, at least for me personally and perhaps for friends in the diaspora too, if officials come to Japan, they could meet directly with community representatives,” said Taufiq.

“Because we as diaspora understand that there are many problems in Indonesia that cannot all be solved, but there is a specific need for us diaspora to at least be heard,” he continued.

Accompanying Prabowo during his activities in Japan were, among others, Foreign Minister Sugiono, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, Minister of Communication and Digital Meutya Hafid, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia, Presidential Special Envoy for Energy and Climate Hashim Djojohadikusumo, and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya.