VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Japan and ASEAN commemorate the 45th partnership and relationship this year. Japan is one of ASEAN partners in addition to China and South Korea. On the sidelines of the celebration of the 45th Japan-ASEAN friendship in Jakarta on Monday (24/9), the Japanese Ambassador to ASEAN, Kazuo Sunaga, said that ASEAN-Japan cooperation in the economic sector runs well. It can be seen from numbers of Japanese companies invested in the ASEAN region.

"As you see in Jakarta and the other ASEAN member states, there are many Japanese companies operating. They are very successful. So now I want to add a bit more, people to people exchanges. The number of Indonesians going to Japan is increasing. I want to encourage more people in ASEAN going to Japan as tourists, students and business as well. On the other hand I want to encourage the Japanese people to come to ASEAN more," Kazuo said.

Kazuo moreover said the organizing of the ASEAN Summit in Singapore in November will also be coupled with the peak celebration of the 45th ASEAN-Japan friendship and cooperation. According to Kazuo, the meeting was politically important, because it would be attended directly by the Japanese prime minister, Sinzho Abe and heads of ASEAN member countries. The 45th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan partnership was enlivened with an introduction and promotion of Japanese culinaries. The activity was also attended by ambassadors of ASEAN member countries. (VOI/Retno/Trs.N/AHM)