RRI.CO.ID, Osaka - Indonesia and Japan continue to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various strategic sectors, including trade, sustainable investment, workforce development, and health. Strengthening these relations was one of the main topics of discussion at the meeting between the Indonesia's Ambassador to Japan, Nurmala Kartini Sjahrir, and Osaka Governor, Hirofumi Yoshimura, in Osaka on June 15, 2026.

In a press release received by RRI VOI on Saturday, June 20, 2026, the meeting marked the first between Ambassador Kartini and Governor Hirofumi since the Indonesian Ambassador began his assignment in Japan. The two sides discussed the development of increasingly close relations between Indonesia and Japan.

On that occasion, Ambassador Kartini, affirmed that relations between the two countries continue to improve in various strategic areas. According to her, cooperation between Indonesia and Japan is growing not only at the national level but also with local governments, such as Osaka Prefecture.

She added that cooperation with Osaka is strengthening in the areas of trade, sustainable investment, workforce development, and the health sector. "As we all know, the cooperative relationship between Indonesia and Japan continues to improve over time in various strategic areas such as the economy, energy, education, and defense," Ambassador Kartini said.

She also assessed that President Prabowo Subianto's state visit to Japan has successfully deepened bilateral relations between the two countries. She also congratulated Hirofumi Yoshimura on his success in bringing the Japan Innovation Party into the governing coalition.

Meanwhile, Governor Hirofumi expressed his appreciation for Indonesia's participation in the World Osaka Expo, which he considered successful in attracting the attention of the Japanese public. He stated that the Indonesian pavilion successfully introduced the warmth and diversity of the Indonesian nation to the Japanese public.

He also expressed her hope that Indonesia would participate in the World Health Expo Osaka 2026 and the Global Startup Expo 2026. "The Japanese public can experience the warmth and diversity of the Indonesian nation directly at the World Osaka Expo," Hirofumi said.

In addition to meeting with the Governor of Osaka, Ambassador Kartini also met with the Japanese Ambassador to Kansai Affairs, Yasushi Misawa, on June 16, 2026. During the meeting, Misawa expressed his hope that connectivity between Osaka and Indonesia would be further enhanced, including through the reactivation of Garuda Indonesia's direct flight route to Osaka.