I am optimistic that if we can improve our relationship with Japan regarding railroad management and ecosystem, we can solve the problem because Japan is one of the countries with the best train ecosystems.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia will discuss cooperation in developing the railroad ecosystem and blueprints of trains in Java and Sumatra with Japan at the Group of Seven (G7) Summit in Hiroshima in May this year.

State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Minister Erick Thohir conveyed this information while issuing a press statement at Pasar Senen Station in Jakarta on Tuesday.

"Indonesia has been invited to the G7 meeting in Hiroshima. I have coordinated with the Minister of Transportation and the Japanese government to check the blueprints of trains in Java and Sumatra," he said.

According to him, Japan is one of the countries with good railroad management and ecosystems. An optimal railroad system is expected to increase public interest in using public transportation for their daily activities, he added.

In addition, it is also expected to bring down the use of private vehicles and support the adoption of a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle, the minister said.

"If we want to reduce the use of private vehicles, the train is one of the solutions. I am optimistic that if we can improve our relationship with Japan regarding railroad management and ecosystem, we can solve the problem because Japan is one of the countries with the best train ecosystems," Thohir added.

Specifically, the management of the railroad system in Sumatra needs to be reviewed from the short- and the long-term prospects, he said.

"We still have no railroad connection in Sumatra. Therefore, this project must be seen from the short- and long-term point of view if we want to reduce the use of private transportation by (shifting public preference to) train," he disclosed.

He informed that in the last three years, his ministry has been actively pushing for train reparation that needs support from the community and other government stakeholders to serve the public.

He said that in the future, his ministry will seek to encourage repair facilities and support from the community and government stakeholders to accommodate the public's needs.

The summit in Hiroshima is scheduled to start on May 19, 2023, and will last for three days, he informed.

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Translator: Arnidhya Nur Z, Resinta S
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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