Japan’s emperor meets with Indonesian president on his first official foreign trip as monarch

Japanese Emperor Naruhito met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo yesterday during his first official foreign trip since ascending the Chrysanthemum Throne in 2019.

Widodo and first lady Iriana welcomed Naruhito and Empress Masako at the Bogor presidential palace, along with greeters wearing Indonesian traditional clothes and a military band that played both national anthems.

“I feel very honored because Indonesia is the first destination for the Japanese emperor’s bilateral state visit abroad,” Widodo said.

Naruhito is seeking to underline the friendship between Japan and Indonesia during his weeklong visit, and officials said the two leaders would talk about cooperation between the countries.

Naruhito said he and Masako have been able to deepen their understanding of Indonesia’s people and culture while also reflecting on its history.

“I also sincerely hope that exchanges between young people from both countries will lead to further development of friendly relations between our two countries,” Naruhito said at a joint news conference at Bogor Palace.