VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesia-Japan Friendship Festival 2024 took place at Yoyogi Park, Tokyo, on Saturday, 19/10. The event spanned two days and featured performances by various artists from Indonesia and Japan. Indonesian artists included the band J-Rocks, Balinese musicians Balawan and Batuan Ethnic Fusion, and the Gondang Orchestra. Japanese artists included Tokyo Lagu-Lagu Kai and Hiroaki Kato, among others.

This festival is part of the “Road To Osaka 2025” initiative and serves as a continuation of the “One Heart” commemoration marking 65 years of relations between Indonesia and Japan. Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Japan, Heri Akhmadi, emphasized the significance of the Indonesia-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which encompasses cooperation in various fields, including arts and culture.

Ambassador Heri noted the importance of the Indonesian diaspora in Japan, which numbers around 180,000 people, highlighting its potential to strengthen people-to-people contacts between the two nations. He encouraged the Indonesian diaspora, along with other ASEAN citizens, to actively participate in socio-cultural activities in Japan, aiming to introduce Indonesian culture to the Japanese people. Through these efforts, a stronger intercultural understanding between the two countries can be fostered, ultimately allowing Indonesia and Japan to advance together for the welfare of their citizens.

In addition to artistic performances, the 2024 Indonesia-Japan Friendship Festival featured 90 booths showcasing specialty foods, art products, and Indonesian banking services. The event also saw the attendance of ambassadors from friendly countries, including Laos Ambassador to Japan Tuy Ry and Vietnam Ambassador to Japan Pham Quang Hieu, along with representatives of ASEAN countries.