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Jakarta, 14 August 2015
Greeting from Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan
on Indonesia’s Independence 70th Anniversary

(Indonesian Version)

Teman-teman Indonesia,

My heartfelt congratulations, on behalf of the Government and people of Japan, on your Independence Day!

Indonesia was the very first country that I visited after I was inaugurated as the Prime Minister of Japan for my second administration. That visit took place in January 2013, soon after the inauguration. In total, I have visited Indonesia four times during my first and second administrations. Indonesia is one of my most frequently visited countries, which shows how highly I value our relationship.

Our two nations have many things in common. I appreciate the tradition of gotong royong that the people of Indonesia have maintained. It reminds me of the custom of mutual aid that has been handed down over many generations in traditional Japanese society.

Japan, like Indonesia, is also a country that suffers many natural disasters. In 2011, Japan was at a low point in the aftermath of the great earthquake and the tsunami that followed. During that time, it was out of your country that the most encouraging song arose. It was a song called “Sakura yo”(*), sung by dozens of Indonesian college students. The lyrics of the song urged the Japanese to rise up and bloom—just like the cherry blossoms. This song will be loved forever by the people not only in Japan but also in Indonesia.

The bond that binds Japan and Indonesia has become even stronger in recent years.

To date, President Joko Widodo and I have held three fruitful summit meetings. We have confirmed our commitment to strengthen the Strategic Partnership that is underpinned by the sea and democracy, and is based upon mutually beneficial cooperation, friendly relations and shared fundamental values. We have already launched a joint initiative named “PROMOSI: Japan-Indonesia Investment and Export Promotion Initiative”.

On this occasion of the 70th anniversary of your Independence, I am happy to reiterate that Japan fully supports Indonesia’s robust and open economic development under the distinguished leadership of President Joko Widodo. To this end, I wish to continue to work together with the President to promote the development of infrastructure, including power plants and transport networks, particularly the “Shinkansen-style” bullet train.

We believe that human resources are the cornerstone of development, and I would like to share with you one encouraging story about this. A young Indonesian man who had just graduated from a technical college was hired by a Japanese automobile factory in Indonesia more than 40 years ago. Through great effort, that man became an executive officer of one of the largest companies in Indonesia.

Japan and Indonesia have weathered many challenges so far. I believe that both countries will continue to work hand in hand to contribute to the peace and prosperity of our region and the world.

Selamat Hari Kemerdekaan!

Shinzo Abe
Prime Minister, Japan

* The song “Sakura yo” was sung by ENJUKU just after March 11, 2011. ENJUKU is a theatrical group made up of Indonesian college students who are interested in Japan, Japanese culture and the theater.