TANAKA Akihiko

A courtesy call to President Joko Widodo, right

From Nov. 11 to 14, JICA President Akihiko Tanaka visited Indonesia, met with dignitaries including President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and Minister of National Development Planning Andrinof Chaniago, and visited the sites of JICA projects.

In his courtesy call to Jokowi, Tanaka said that in keeping with the long cooperative relationship between Japan and Indonesia, JICA would continue its cooperation to be in line with the development plans of Indonesia. Also, he explained that JICA intends to examine and work on the possibility of cooperation on the Maritime Nation Strategy and Food Security, which the new government is emphasizing.

Jokowi expressed his hope for investment and support from Japan toward future Indonesian economic growth. Moreover, he indicated his recognition that improving domestic connectivity and industrial development are important for realizing the Maritime Nation Strategy.

A construction site of the Jakarta Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), which is expected to ease traffic congestion.

In his talks with Andrinof, Tanaka explained that JICA will continue carrying out cooperation for the achievement of a National Medium Term Development formulated by the Ministry of National Development Planning in January. Andrinof explained that he would emphasize not just Java, but also rural areas, aiming for quality, balance and impartiality. And he expressed his hopes for cooperation and investment from Japan.

In talks with Sofyan A. Djalil, coordinating minister for Economic Affairs, and Bambang Permadi Soemantri Brodjonegoro, minister of Finance, they exchanged their views on the importance of cooperation within the Indonesian government, to promote implementation of projects necessary for macro-economy, finance and infrastructure improvement in Indonesia.

The Jakarta Fishing Port, which is crowded with people involved in the fishing and marine products industries.

During his visit, Tanaka visited the construction site of the Jakarta Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), and the sites built with Japanese cooperation, the Pluit Pump Station and Jakarta Fishing Port. He also met with JICA experts and people involved in private sector partnership projects. They talked about the current situation on JICA projects to tackle urban issues in the capital (such as traffic congestion, flooding and sewage) and to improve infrastructure for economic and industrial development.

Moreover, in talks with Le Luong Minh, secretary general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and Koichi Aiboshi, ambassador of Japan to ASEAN, they discussed the start of the ASEAN Economic Community this year. Minh explained that after accomplishing the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community this year, ASEAN will continue tackling some remaining issues and it will work to reduce development disparities among member countries to make a resilient ASEAN.