"This curriculum is a part of the Nihongo Partners (program) that begins in September," Director of the Japan Foundation Ogawa Tadhasi said while delivering a speech at the Nihongo Partners welcoming ceremony here on Thursday.
In December 2013, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced new policies related to Asian cultural exchange in a bid to promote the exchange between Asian countries.
"Earlier, we sent teachers to the Philippines and Thailand," Tadhasi stated.
Tadashi added that the Japanese government will gradually increase the number of Nihongo Partners recipient countries. The teachers involved in the cultural exchange program will be sent in stages.
"I would like to express my gratitude to the government of Indonesia for granting us this opportunity," he remarked.
The Director General of Secondary Education of the Indonesian Education and Cultural Ministry, Achmad Jazidie observes how important the Japanese language is in the global society.
"This program has many advantages. The Japanese teachers can learn about the local culture and students can interact with native speakers," Jazidie pointed out.
Jazidie hopes that the cooperation continues and furthers relations between the two countries.
One of the Japanese teachers participating in the exchange program, Shogo, expressed his happiness over being placed in Indonesia.
"I can learn about the culture and Bahasa Indonesian better," Shogo remarked.
(Uu.A050/INE)
EDITED BY INE
(H-YH)
(T.A050/A/KR-BSR/B/H-YH)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2014
