Ambassador underscores importance of Indonesia-Japan exchanges

hartono · Oct 1, 2025

Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia Masaki Yasushi speaks at a media briefing in Jakarta, Tuesday, September 30, 2025. /ANTARA/Katriana.

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia Masaki Yasushi emphasized the importance of people-to-people exchanges between Indonesia and Japan to strengthen both economic and cultural ties.

“I find that people-to-people exchanges are becoming increasingly important,” Masaki said during a media briefing at the end of his tenure as Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia in Jakarta on Tuesday.

He noted that the presence of Indonesian citizens in Japan, whether as students or workers in sectors such as hospitality, agriculture, and fisheries, contributes significantly to the country’s economic activities.

The skills and knowledge they acquire, he added, can later be applied upon their return to Indonesia, potentially boosting the nation’s economy in the future.

Masaki also underlined that these exchanges not only benefit the economies of both nations but also bring the people of Indonesia and Japan closer together.

The ambassador pointed to the enthusiasm of Indonesian visitors at the Jak-Japan Matsuri 2025 cultural festival at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta last weekend as proof of growing cultural ties.

“That was my second time attending the opening of this festival, and I was surprised to see more people than last year,” he said.

According to Masaki, the increasing interest in cultural activities reflects a positive trend in strengthening mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries.

He expressed hope that long-standing people-to-people exchanges will continue to foster even closer relations in the years ahead.