Participation of Mrs. KISHIDA Yuko, Spouse of the Prime Minister, in the official Spouse Program of the ASEAN Summit – First Day (Summary)

   
On September 6, 2023 (local time), Mrs. KISHIDA Yuko, Spouse of the Prime Minister, visited Jakarta in the Republic of Indonesia to attend the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)-related Summit meetings, and visited Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, an educational and cultural facility located in the southeastern part of the Jakarta Special Capital Region. Mrs. Kishida then exchanged views with five Japanese women residing in Indonesia who have active local roles in areas such as art, culture, business, science and education, and engaged in the promotion of the friendship, goodwill and exchanges between Japan and Indonesia, and afterwards, attended the Gala Dinner.
 
１. Participation in an official event hosted by the Spouse of the President
 
Mrs. KISHIDA Yuko, the Spouse of the Prime Minister, participated in the official Spouse Program of the ASEAN Summit hosted by Mrs. Iriana Joko Widodo, the First Lady of the Republic of Indonesia, and visited Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, an educational and cultural facility located in the southeastern part of the Jakarta Special Capital Region. While receiving explanations from First Lady Iriana together with the Spouses of the leaders of other countries, Mrs. Kishida watched a skit performed by children and toured a performance of Indonesia’s traditional dancing and a workshop of its traditional art craft, experiencing the diversity of each area of Indonesia. Mrs. Kishida also deepened exchanges, while having firsthand experience of the richness of the Indonesian culture through the exhibitions of traditional architecture and regional arts in the country.
 
2. Discussion with Japanese women residing in Indonesia who have active local roles
 
Mrs. Kishida exchanged views with five Japanese women residing in Indonesia who have active local roles in areas such as art, culture, business, science and education, and engaged in the promotion of the friendship, goodwill and exchanges between Japan and Indonesia. In the session for exchanging views, participants discussed exchanges between Japan and Indonesia in those areas, as well as how women are playing active roles in Indonesia, among other things.
At the outset, Mrs. Kishida stated the objective of the visit to Jakarta this time, as well as her impression of the city that she has visited for the first time. Mrs. Kishida also offered some words of appreciation for the efforts made so far by the local participants who have played active roles while facing linguistic and cultural differences in a foreign country.
Then, the local participants expressed their gratitude for the session of discussion, and Mrs. Kishida was briefed on the activities for the promotion of the Japanese language education in Indonesia, as well as those for cultural exchanges with young people in Indonesia, among other things.
Mrs. Kishida and other participants went on to exchange views on a wide range of topics, ranging from the similarities and differences between Japan and Indonesia to the roles that women should play in future society. There were voices from the participants wishing to contribute to the creation of an inclusive society where each individual can play an active role regardless of sex and nationality and the development of friendly relations between Japan and Indonesia.
Mrs. Kishida expressed her respect for the local participants who are engaged in activities for strengthening friendly relations between Japan and Indonesia, and called for the continuation of such activities that serve as a bridge between Japan and Indonesia.
 
3. Participation in an official dinner hosted by the President and First Lady
 
Mrs. Kishida, together with Prime Minister Kishida, participated in a welcoming dinner hosted by President Joko Widodo and First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo. During the dinner, Mrs. Kishida had friendly talks not only with President Joko and First Lady Iriana, but also with the Spouses of leaders of other countries and other participants, thereby deepening exchanges with them.
 
[Reference] Taman Mini Indonesia Indah
Taman Mini Indonesia Indah is a huge theme park that represents Indonesia's diverse culture. Opened in 1975, the park went through renewal to reopen on November 20, 2022. The vast park of an area of 150 hectares, approximately three times the size of Tokyo Disneyland, features the pavilions of 33 Indonesian provinces, where you can not only encounter the traditional architecture of each province, but have a better understanding of regional characteristics of each province through displays primarily on their ethnic costumes, lifestyles, culture, art and natural features.