Japanese PM Backs Indonesia's Food Self-Sufficiency and Downstreaming Initiatives
JAKARTA, investortrust.id – Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru reaffirmed his nation's commitment to strengthening ties with Indonesia, expressing interest in supporting key government initiatives under President Prabowo Subianto's leadership.
During a bilateral meeting held at the Bogor Presidential Palace on Saturday, January 11, 2025, PM Ishiba expressed Japan's enthusiasm for collaborating on Indonesia's ambitious programs, including the free nutritious meals for students, food self-sufficiency, downstreaming, and energy sustainability.
Prime Minister Ishiba expressed enthusiasm for supporting these programs, emphasizing Japan's readiness to assist with technological innovation, investment, and expertise. "I am eager to contribute and cooperate with Indonesia on the matters presented by His Excellency, the President," Ishiba remarked.
One area of immediate collaboration is energy. PM Ishiba noted Japan's commitment to supporting Indonesia's energy self-sufficiency efforts through the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) framework, aligning with both nations' focus on sustainability.
The collaboration extends to downstreaming, where Japan plans to invest in projects that align with Indonesia's goal of industrializing its natural resource exports. This partnership is expected to drive growth in both nations' economies and further solidify their bilateral relationship.
"This visit symbolizes the commitment of both nations to strengthening our relations across various sectors," President Prabowo concluded, reflecting the shared optimism and mutual interests of Indonesia and Japan.
Prabowo had set off several initiatives as part of a broader strategy to enhance Indonesia's economic resilience and self-reliance. These priorities include the free nutritious meals program launched in January 2025, this program aims to address malnutrition and stunting by providing free meals to over 80 million students across Indonesia. With a budget allocation of approximately Rp 71 trillion ($4.33 billion), it is one of the largest social welfare initiatives in Indonesia's history.
The administration has also prioritized reducing dependency on food imports by expanding farmland, improving agricultural productivity, and supporting local farmers. This initiative aims to bolster national food security and strengthen Indonesia's agricultural sector.
Another priority for Prabowo’s administration was its energy sustainability through the development of bio-ethanol from sugarcane and cassava and green energy from wind, solar, and geothermal sources. The government targets implementing biodiesel B50 and E10 programs by 2029 to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Lastly, the administration aimed at increasing value-added processing of natural resources before export. This program seeks to boost the manufacturing sector, create jobs, and enhance national revenue.