Jokowi said this was part of the commitment to strengthen friendship between Indonesia and Japan.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo spent half of Monday in meetings about various agendas related to the visit of honorable guests from Japan.

"I dedicated half of the day on Monday to my honorable guests from Japan," he said at an Indonesia-Japan Partnership Reception at Hotel Mulia here on Monday.

He said this was part of the commitment to strengthen friendship between Indonesia and Japan.

President Jokowi, as he is also called, spoke before the delegation from Japan, comprising more than 1,100 members, who had come to strengthen cooperation and friendship between the two countries.

"Yesterday, I met with Prime Minister Abe in Kuala Lumpur and told him that Indonesia is a strategic partner of Japan and we have long built the relations and must cooperate as good partners," he said.

He said Japan is also a very important partner for development and maintaining peace and security.

The arrival of 1,100 guests from Japan to Indonesia, he said, showed how close the relations between Indonesia and Japan are.

"In the delegation, there are not only government officials but also politicians, businessmen and tourists who wish to tour Indonesia," he said.

President Jokowi welcomed them and greeted them on their happy tour in Indonesia.

He said Indonesia is a country that offers a huge business opportunity.

Japan has proven that such cooperation has so far been mutually beneficial.

President Jokowi believed the visit would strengthen the friendship between the two countries.

"We will push for higher economic growth and closer ties between the two countries," he said.

After leading a cabinet meeting at the State Palace in Bogor, West Java, on Monday, President Jokowi presented a medal of honor to the chairman of the Japan-Indonesia Parliament League, Toshihiro Nikai. Later, he received the chairman and delegation of the Japan-Indonesia Parliament League.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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