In the political sector, Japan promises to maintain its strategic cooperation with Indonesia to solve problems that have become of international interest.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Japan`s newly appointed ambassador to Indonesia Yoshinori Katori pledges to boost cooperation in the economic field with Indonesia and promote more people-to-people contacts between the two countries.

"Indonesia is an important partner to Japan and therefore we consider cooperation with your country a crucial matter. During my stay in Indonesia as Japan`s ambassador, I will try my best to further strengthen our cooperation," Katori said here on Friday.

He said Indonesia was a major exporter of natural resources to Japan and, reciprocally, Japan was one of the biggest foreign investors in Indonesia. Currently there were 1,278 Japanese companies operating in Indonesia and around 11,701 Japanese nationals were living in the country.

In 2010, Japan was the fourth biggest investor in Indonesia, with a total investment of US$712.6 million. Singapore ranked first with US$5.005 billion, followed by Britain with US$1.89 billion, and the United States with US$930.8 million.

In the first quarter of 2011, Japan ranked third with US$345.2 million in 78 projects next to Singapore with US$1.138 billion in 142 projects and the United States with US$345.2 million in 24 projects.

Apart from cooperation in the economic sector, the ambassador also promised to give priority to bilateral cooperation in sectors such as political, environment and people-to-people contacts.

"In the political sector, Japan promises to maintain its strategic cooperation with Indonesia to solve problems that have become of international interest," he added.

Ambassador Katori also expressed hope to see more relation between Indonesian and the Japanese in the future especially through educational program. "Currently there are 2,119 Indonesian students living in Japan. However, the number of Japanese students in Indonesia are still low," he said.

Yoshinori Katori takes position as Japan`s Ambassador to Indonesia recently replacing former Ambassador Kojiro Shiojiri who had served three years of duty. Before being appointed as ambassador, Katori served as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs` Director General for Foreign Service Training Institute.

(T.A051/A/A051/F001) (ANTARA)

Editor: Ella Syafputri
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