Japan envoy applauds RI’s role, backs stronger regional leadership

hartono · Jul 30, 2026

Japan envoy applauds RI’s role, backs stronger regional leadership

Japanese Ambassador to ASEAN Yonetani Koji during an interview with ANTARA for the International Corner program in Jakarta on Thursday (July 30, 2026). /ANTARA/Kuntum Khaira Riswan.

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Japanese Ambassador to ASEAN Yonetani Koji has praised Indonesia's role as a country that consistently takes the initiative and expressed hope that Jakarta will continue to provide strong leadership in Asia.

"We expect Indonesia to continue playing an important leadership role in the region by taking initiatives to advance regional cooperation in ways that respond to the evolving strategic environment," he said in an interview with ANTARA for the International Corner program in Jakarta on Thursday.

Ambassador Yonetani said Indonesia holds a pivotal position in promoting regional cooperation that can adapt to changing circumstances and emerging challenges.

According to him, Indonesia's leadership in regional cooperation is not new. From the outset, Indonesia has actively taken initiatives in Southeast Asia as well as among countries across Asia and Africa.

"I think it is important to remember that Indonesia has always been a country that takes the initiative in Southeast Asia and among countries in Asia and Africa," he said.

He added that Indonesia continues to uphold a vision that aligns with efforts to strengthen regional cooperation, particularly in promoting peace, stability, cooperation, and mutual understanding.

"Indonesia upholds a vision for peace, stability, cooperation, and mutual understanding," he said.

Yonetani noted that Indonesia's position is further strengthened by its role as one of ASEAN's founding members. He also highlighted Indonesia's contribution to the drafting of the ASEAN Charter, which serves as one of the institutional foundations of the regional bloc.

In addition, Indonesia has played an important role in shaping ASEAN's approach to the Indo-Pacific. Yonetani highlighted Indonesia's initiative in proposing and promoting the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), which has since become a shared framework for ASEAN and its external partners.

Indonesia is one of the five founding members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which was established in 1967. The regional grouping currently comprises 11 members: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.

Indonesia has also played a significant role in promoting solidarity among Asian and African countries through its initiative to convene and host the Asian-African Conference in Bandung, West Java, from April 18 to 24, 1955.