Geneva (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono left Switzerland for a state visit to Japan on Wednesday afternoon.

While in Japan, President Yudhoyono will present letters from children in Aceh to Japanese children affected by the earthquake and tsunami that happened in that country in March 2011.

President Yudhoyono said his visit to Japan was for conveying Indonesia`s solidarity with Japan and presenting the Indonesian people`s aid to Japan.

"The entourage will visit some of the affected regions to meet with the local people and present letters from the Indonesian children in Aceh to them," he said.

President Yudhoyono flanked by First Lady Ani Yudhoyono would be in Japan from June 16-18 for a state visit upon the invitation of Japanese Emperor Akihito.

In Japan President Yudhoyono is also scheduled to meet with prime minister Naoto Kan and attend other meetings.

The President and entourage are also scheduled to visit one of the shelters for earthquake and tsunami victims in the worst hit region in Japan.

Presidential spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha said President Yudhoyono`s visit to Japan was for conveying his and his people`s sympathy to the people of Japan.

In Tokyo President Yudhoyonon would deliver a lecture at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies titled "Responding to International Challenges, Strengthening Indonesia-Japan Relations" which will be attended by 300 invitees including politicians, academics, businessmen and community members.

President Yudhoyono and entourage are scheduled to arrive home on Saturday night (June 18). (*)
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Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2011