VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia Masaki Yasushi met with journalists at the Japanese Embassy in Indonesia, Jakarta, on Friday (June 21, 2024). (Photo: Antara/Devi Nindy)

VOINews, Jakarta: Ambassador Masaki Yasushi highlighted the support and joint targets between Japan and Indonesia aimed at enhancing the quality of life and reducing disparities between urban and rural areas In a media briefing at the Japanese Embassy in Indonesia, Jakarta, on Friday.

Yasushi emphasized the significant issue of disparity between large cities and rural areas, as well as income gaps and living standards in the region.

One of the primary targets is to enrich rural life through agriculture, healthcare services, and educational cooperation.

Yasushi mentioned that Japan supports the increase in rice production through the Rentang Irrigation Project in West Java and the Komering Project in Sumatra. Additionally, Japan supports agricultural production distribution projects in West Java.

Furthermore, initiatives include improving nutrition, medical services, and education equality.

Japan supports Indonesia in creating safe and comfortable urban living environments, notably evident in the expansion project of the Jakarta MRT line from north to south, followed by the west-east line, aimed at transit-oriented development.

The two countries also collaborate on an underwater cable project to enhance communication networks. Yasushi noted that 85 percent of Indonesia's underwater cable network is provided by Japanese companies.

Thirdly, Japan supports Indonesia in creating robust industries, such as assisting in establishing export hubs for automobiles, like the one at Patimbang Port. Japan also aids in establishing the Bekasi Automotive Proving Ground, the only UN-standard testing location in Southeast Asia.

Efforts extend to nurturing startup companies and building legal systems for businesses.

Japan also assists Indonesia in achieving green communities through the development of environmentally friendly power plants in various regions, aiming to lead Asia in decarbonization efforts (AZEC).

Another target is to harness the strengths of both Indonesia and Japan.

Japan supports skilled Indonesian workers to migrate to Japan for employment, along with language learning programs, student exchanges, and sports initiatives.

Lastly, together with Indonesia, Japan aims to preserve marine resources as a maritime nation, including providing patrol vessels for BAKAMLA, supporting fishermen, and establishing local fishery centers and markets.

Yasushi expressed commitment to continuing these collaborations with Indonesia's newly elected president and the current Minister of Defense, Prabowo Subianto, noting the focus on improving the daily lives of Indonesians through these initiatives./Antara/VOI

Herbert Siagian, Expert Staff for Productivity and Competitiveness to the Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs (ANTARA/HO-Kemenkop UKM)

VOINews, Jakarta: The Ministry of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises (Kemenkop UKM) has emphasized the crucial role that universities play in enhancing the quality and quantity of entrepreneurs in the country by incorporating entrepreneurship into their academic curricula.

"Universities can also contribute by establishing entrepreneurial incubators, organizing entrepreneurship events for students, and forming partnerships with private and governmental sectors," stated Herbert Siagian, Expert Staff for Productivity and Competitiveness to the Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs, in a statement in Jakarta on Saturday.

As reported by AntaraHe noted that universities in Indonesia need to take an active role in fostering an entrepreneurial ecosystem, which will positively impact the development of the national economy.

In addition to increasing the entrepreneurial ratio, Siagian believes that by implementing these academic programs, a conducive business climate and optimal business ecosystem can be cultivated, with a target to achieve a 12 percent entrepreneurial ratio by 2045.

To optimize the increase in the domestic entrepreneurial ratio, Kemenkop UKM also provides incentives, strengthens stakeholder synergy, and fosters an entrepreneurial ecosystem that leverages the demographic bonus.

"This is where entrepreneurship based on creativity, innovation, and digital technology becomes essential. The government is therefore pushing to create 1 million new entrepreneurs among the youth to increase the entrepreneurial ratio to 3.23 percent by 2024," he added.

Meanwhile, Member of the House of Representatives Commission VI Siti Mukaromah encouraged the implementation of curricula that foster an entrepreneurial spirit, thereby accelerating entrepreneurial capabilities and driving Indonesia's economic growth.

"We need to collaborate and support MSMEs in terms of digitalization, formal legality, and enhancing production both in quantity and quality," Siti stated.

Previously, the Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs, Teten Masduki, reported the ministry's performance for 2023, including the creation of 821,556 new entrepreneurs.

Teten noted that these 821,556 new entrepreneurs were created through 320 activities conducted by 27 ministries/agencies. By 2024, the target is to create 1 million new entrepreneurs./Antara/VOI

Indonesian Ambassador to Fiji Dupito D. Simamora (right) with participants of the fun walk held to commemorate 50 years of bilateral relations between Indonesia and Fiji in Suva, Fiji, on Saturday (15/6/2024). (Photo by: ANTARA/HO-KBRI Suva)

VOINews, Jakarta: The Indonesian Embassy in Suva, Fiji, hosted a fun walk event on Saturday to mark the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations between Indonesia and Fiji.

As reported by Antara, Ambassador Dupito D. Simamora emphasized that the event, held in partnership with the Fiji-Indonesia Friendship Association (FIFA), symbolizes the longstanding and mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries.

"The fun walk aims to bring the community together in celebrating this significant milestone and to reaffirm our commitment to fostering friendship and cooperation in the future," stated Dupito, according to a statement from Jakarta.

Apart from Dupito, the event was attended by Acting President of Fiji Salesi Temo and FIFA Chairman and former Fijian Ambassador to Indonesia Tui Cavuilati.

The fun walk commenced at 7 a.m. local time from the Albert Park Lower Hall in Suva, following a route along Queen Elizabeth Drive towards Suzuki Park before concluding back at Albert Park, where participants enjoyed refreshments.

Over 300 individuals participated in the event, including members of the diplomatic corps, Fijian government officials, Indonesia Scholarships for Fiji alumni, local students, and the Indonesian community in Fiji.

Dupito also highlighted the presence of students from Queen Victoria School, who received rehabilitation assistance from the Indonesian government following the damage caused by Cyclone Winston in 2016, as a testament to the strong bilateral ties and enduring cooperation between Indonesia and Fiji.

In addition to the fun walk, KBRI Suva organized various other activities to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Indonesia-Fiji relations, including the donation of medical equipment for rural community empowerment, a seminar on Indonesia-Fiji cooperation with the Fiji National University, and the establishment of the Fiji-Indonesia Friendship Association./Antara/VOI

President Joko Widodo (third from left) along with, among others, Prime Minister Giorgona Meloni of Italy (second from right) and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan (far right) raise their shovels after planting mangrove trees in Ngurah Rai Forest Park (Tahura) on the second day of the G20 Summit in Denpasar, Bali, on Wednesday (16/11/2022). (Photo by: ANTARA FOTO/Media Center G20 Indonesia/Akbar Nugroho Gumay/aww.)

VOINews,Jakarta: Japan and Italy reached an agreement on Friday (14/6) to bolster cooperation in diplomacy, defense, and economic security amidst rising global tensions.

As reported by Antara, The meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni took place in Fasano, Italy, during the G7 Summit to finalize the action plan, as stated by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The comprehensive agreement encompasses seven key areas, including collaboration in diplomacy, defense, and economic security, underscoring the imperative of enhanced partnership in light of China's military resurgence and Russia's incursion into Ukraine.

Additionally, the cooperation extends to various sectors such as economy, culture, people-to-people exchanges, academia, science and technology, as well as food and agriculture.

The joint effort reflects a shared understanding that security in both Europe and the Indo-Pacific region is interconnected, with a mutual objective of upholding international peace and stability, as mentioned in the official statement.

Japan's constitutional stance against war traditionally imposes limitations on defense exports. Nevertheless, Tokyo has progressively eased these restrictions since 2014, facilitating the conditional development of defense equipment.

Notably, Japan aims to collaborate with the UK and Italy in the joint development of next-generation fighter jets by 2035, marking a significant milestone in collective defense equipment advancement.

Japan's defense partnerships extend to 16 other nations, including Australia, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Sweden, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, the UK, the US, Vietnam, and Ukraine./Antara/VOI