Japan Highlights Islamic Institutions as Cornerstones of Education in Indonesia

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Japanese Embassy in Jakarta has underscored the pivotal role of Islamic higher education institutions and pesantren (Islamic boarding schools) in shaping Indonesia’s educational foundation, while also emphasizing grassroots exchanges as a bridge for stronger bilateral ties.

“Islamic universities play a very significant role,” Myochin Mitsuru, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Japanese Embassy in Jakarta, said during a Ramadan iftar gathering with Islamic leaders at the Ambassador’s residence on Monday, March 2, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

Myochin shared that during his visit to the Indonesian International Islamic University (UIII), he learned that universities in Indonesia operate not only under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology but also under the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

He noted that Islamic universities are particularly influential, complemented by more than 42,000 pesantren across the country. “These pesantren have built a very crucial foundation for education in Indonesia,” he said.

Since 2004, the Japanese Embassy has run an invitation program for pesantren leaders to visit Japan, aimed at strengthening friendship and mutual understanding between the two nations. To date, more than 190 participants have joined the program.

The Japanese government has also extended invitations to young Muslim leaders. This year, eight representatives from Nahdlatul Ulama, Muhammadiyah, Istiqlal Mosque, and State Islamic Universities were invited to Tokyo and Nagasaki.

“We believe that grassroots-level exchanges like these are an important means to strengthen relations between nations in the future,” Myochin said, expressing hope that the iftar gathering would serve as a meaningful opportunity to deepen ties between Japan and Indonesian Muslim community.

UIII Rector Jamhari Makruf praised the youth exchange initiatives facilitated by the Japanese Embassy. “These visits by Islamic leaders to Japan are very meaningful, especially for enhancing relations between the two countries,” he said in his remarks, expressing hope that the program would continue to grow.

“Just imagine, now the Japanese Embassy has 190 pesantren across Indonesia that can serve as friends. So, if the embassy officials want to visit Indonesia, they can stop by at any of these pesantren that have already been invited. And that is an extraordinary asset,” Jamhari remarked. ***