REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BOGOR -- President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) underscored the importance of cooperation between Indonesia and Japan as he met with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the Bogor Presidential Palace on Sunday. "In the period of less than two years, I and His Excellency Prime Minister Abe have met six times. This suggests that how important are the Indonesia-Japan relations," Jokowi said.

Abe arrived in Indonesia on Sunday for a two-day visit. He came to Indonesia, along with 30 CEOs of Japanese leading companies to enhance cooperation in the political, economic, maritime, social and cultural fields.  "Japan is Indonesia's strategic partner in various fields, particularly economic, trade and investment fields. I believe that at this meeting we will discuss various areas of mutually-beneficial cooperation," Jokowi said.

In his address, Abe expressed gratitude to Jokowi for his warm welcome at the Bogor Presidential Palace. "Let me express my gratitude to President Joko Widodo for his welcome at the Bogor Palace which is very beautiful," he said.

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Abe said at the meeting with Jokowi, both sides have agreed on various areas of cooperation in strategic fields.

Japan is one of Indonesia's main trade partners, with the value of trade between the two countries reaching US$23.8 billion in 2016. Japan is also one of the biggest investors in Indonesia, with its total investment reaching US$4.498 billion between January and September 2016.

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