VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesia and Japan celebrated the Commemoration of 60 Years of Indonesia-Japan Diplomatic Relations in Jakarta, Saturday (20/1). The commemoration was attended by Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla and several Indonesian Working Cabinet Ministers. Also attending the event were Japanese Prime Minister’s Special Envoy Toshihiro Nikai and Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia Masafumi Ishii. In his remark, Toshihiro Nikai appreciated the close relations between the two countries thanks to cooperation of several parties. About future relations of Indonesia and Japan, Toshihiro Nikai through interpreter said that the two countries must set a strategy to keep the close relations.

“We need to consider the steps to keep Japan and Indonesian relations stay close in the next ten years, twenty years, or even until 100^th Anniversary of Indonesian Independence in 2045. Therefore, we cooperate with ERIA - Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia that will have its 10^th anniversary to design the plan and will hold a seminar this year,” Toshihiro Nikai said.

Previously, the Japanese Prime Minister’s Special Envoy Toshihiro Nikai said, in 2015 he had invited more than 1000 cultural, economy, and tourism delegates from Indonesia to Japan. Toshihiro Nikai also hoped the Indonesia-Japan youth exchange will increase, for instance by inviting 60 Indonesian youths in conjunction with the 60^th anniversary of Indonesia-Japan diplomatic relations this year.///// (VOI-STEVE/AHM)

Two F16 Jet Fighter grant from the US arrived at Air Force Base of Iswahjudi, Magetan, East Java on 18th January. The jets fighter were the last jetfighters deployed of 24 total units of the US jets grant. In response to this, a Military observer from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Mochamad Nurhasim in an interview by phone on RRI World Service Voice of Indonesia on Saturday (20/01) said the US jets fighter grant is from the US is part of its foreign politics that prioritizes the consideration of the US interest in Asia, including Indonesia.

One of the considerations of reopening military cooperation between Indonesia and the US is, in addition to the fact that Indonesia has changed, from political side, I think there is a significant change. There is democratic consolidation process.There is criteria of human rights and so on. There is also an opportunity of the world political constellation. I think the US interest in Asia and South East Asia has been one of factors to continue jet fighter grant program,” Mochamad Nurhasim said.

Moreover,MochamadNurhasim explained the continuity of Jet Fighters Grant from the US to Indonesia has been based on the long term political consideration in the region. He further said Washington has also counted the domestic political constellation  and the role of Indonesia in the regional security of Asia and South East Asia, including political fluctuation in the South China Sea and the growth of China power as one new economic power and new power in the field of military after the collapse of the Soviet Union.//// (VOI-Ahmad Faisal/ahm)

Japan is exploring cooperation with Indonesia on the conservation of Citarum River in West Java as part of a number of project agreements between the two countries. This was stated by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi who accompanied President Joko Widodo to receive the special envoy, Toshihiro Nikai sent by Japanese Prime Minister Toshihiro Nikai, along with his delegation, at the Bogor Presidential Palace on Friday. Environmental cooperation was among the topics discussed during a bilateral meeting, including the exploration of the conservation of Citarum River which still needs a separate formulation. Minister Retno Marsudi noted that the deputy of the Japanese environment minister will visit Citarum River for a preliminary assessment of conservation cooperation. President Joko Widodo has ordered an immediate revitalization of the longest and largest river in West Java, considering its vital role in upholding the livelihood of the people. (Ant)