Japan Sees New Avenues for Cooperation with Indonesia

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Japanese Chargé d’Affaires Ad Interim Myochin Mitsuru underscored the potential for expanded collaboration between Indonesia and Japan in energy, critical minerals, and security.

Myochin made the statement following President Prabowo Subianto’s state address at the Annual Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) and the Joint Session of the House of Representatives (DPR) and the Regional Representative Council (DPD) in Jakarta on Friday, August 14, 2026.

“There is great potential for cooperation in energy, critical minerals, and even security,” he said after attending session on Friday, as quoted by Antara.

He said the President’s comprehensive speech provided valuable guidance for the diplomatic community in understanding Indonesia’s future trajectory. “This is very useful for us in considering how to strengthen bilateral relations going forward,” he noted.

Myochin also welcomed President Prabowo’s plan to expand opportunities for skilled Indonesian migrant workers abroad, including in Japan. He emphasized that such efforts would be mutually beneficial, particularly as Japan faces depopulation and increasing demand for foreign labor. He further expressed support for enhancing language education.

“We fully agree with strengthening Japanese language education for Indonesia’s younger generation so they can adapt more easily in Japan,” he said.

The envoy stressed that the President’s speech offered clear signals for future cooperation, reinforcing already strong ties between Jakarta and Tokyo. His remarks suggest that bilateral relations are poised to deepen not only in traditional areas but also in emerging sectors vital to both nations’ resilience.

By placing energy, minerals, and labor mobility alongside education and security, Myochin’s comments framed the Japan–Indonesia partnership as multidimensional -- linking economic needs, human capital, and strategic collaboration in ways that reflect the evolving priorities of both countries. ***