The first Indonesia-Japan Friendship Day (IJFD) 2023 was held in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture on January 28 and 29 in welcoming the 65th anniversary of Indonesia-Japan bilateral relations.

Indonesian Deputy Ambassador to Japan, John Tjahjanto Boestami in Hamamatsu said that 2023 will be an important year for Indonesia and Japan with regard to 65 years of bilateral relations of both countries. Hamamatsu City is special, because it is the venue for the first IJFD series.

Deputy Ambassador John also explained that 2023 is also the year that marks the leadership of Indonesia and Japan in a region where Indonesia held the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Japan held the presidency of the G7 (group of seven).

According to Deputy Ambassador John, ASEAN and the G7 are world organizations that are influential in world politics and the economy. In 2023, both countries commemorate 50 years of relations between ASEAN and Japan. 2023 is a year full of dynamics which is expected to further strengthen the relationship between Indonesia and Japan.

IJFD Hamamatsu, which is a collaboration between the Indonesian Embassy and Japanese business partners and community groups, was enlivened by an Indonesian cultural festival and culinary bazaar with the performance of the Plate Dance, Jaipong Dance, Wonderland Dance, Lengser Dance, Ballet, Angklung and Bajidor Kahot, performed by the Indonesian student association (PPI) Hamamatsu and Shizuoka as well as the Indonesian Friendship Institute – Hamamatsu.

Japanese citizens also witnessed the performance of Balinese shadow puppets presented by Professor Umeda Hideharu, an Indonesian friend from Shizuoka University of Art and Culture (SUAC).

Umeda Hideharu, who performed the Balinese shadow puppet show, said he was happy to be able to participate in IJFD Hamamatsu.