Indonesia-Japan to focus in three things

"Closer relations between the youths of the two countries are important so they can be expected to inherit and continue the present good relations between Indonesia and Japan," presidential spokesman Dino Pati Djalal quoted the president as saying when receiving visiting Japanese Prince Akishino at the Merdeka Palace here Saturday.

Dino said Prince Akishino at the meeting read out a message from Japanese Emperor Akihito who expressed pleasure about the relations between Indonesia and Japan which had grown significantly in the past 50 years.

"The Emperor also conveyed his best wishes to the Indonesian people," Dino said.

Prince Akishino`s visit to represent the Japanese Emperor and Japanese government is a measure of Tokyo`s appreciation of the progress achieved in the friendship between Indonesia and Japan in the economic and political fields, Dino ssid.

"Indonesia- Japan relations increased continuously following the signing of a strategic agreement in 2005 and the Economic Partnership Agreement last year. Besides an economic partner, Japan is also an important counterpart to Indonesia in the region and in international political ..