President Prabowo, Japanese Special Envoy Discuss Strengthening Bilateral and Energy Cooperation
Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: President Prabowo Subianto received a courtesy visit from the Special Envoy of Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at his residence in the Kertanegara area of Jakarta on Sunday evening. The envoy, accompanied by other senior Japanese delegates, arrived at approximately 7:00 p.m. Western Indonesia Time (WIB), according to an official statement released on Sunday.
During the meeting, the Japanese delegation delivered a personal letter from Prime Minister Ishiba to President Prabowo. The letter was conveyed directly by the envoy, former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, as confirmed by Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, following the talks.
The discussion focused on deepening cooperation between Indonesia and Japan, particularly in the context of the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC), a regional initiative aimed at promoting sustainable development and decarbonization. Minister Hartarto noted that Indonesia currently holds more than 170 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with Japan, highlighting the robust foundation of bilateral ties.
As part of ongoing energy collaboration, Indonesia and Japan are scheduled to sign a significant agreement on Monday for the development of an 80-megawatt geothermal power project in Muara Laboh, West Sumatra. The project, valued at approximately US$500 million, marks a major step forward in clean energy investment and technology exchange between the two countries.
President Prabowo expressed his appreciation for the strong partnership between Indonesia and Japan, emphasizing the need to strengthen ties in the face of growing global economic and geopolitical uncertainties.
“The President appreciates Indonesia’s cooperation with Japan and hopes that it can continue to be enhanced amid the uncertainties caused by the tariff war,” Minister Hartarto stated.
Special Envoy Kishida echoed the sentiment, underlining the strategic importance of bilateral cooperation during uncertain times.
“Kishida also underscored how the situation has become uncertain, and in a situation like this, cooperation between the two countries is very important,” Hartarto added.
President Prabowo was accompanied during the meeting by senior cabinet members, including Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Foreign Affairs Minister Sugiono, and State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi.
The meeting reaffirmed the enduring friendship and strategic partnership between Indonesia and Japan, with both sides committing to work closely across multiple sectors to promote mutual growth and regional stability.
