BANTEN – According to the assignment from the government, Minister of Public Works and Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono sent off His Majesty The Emperor of Japan Naruhito and Empress Consort of Japan Masako at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Banten, Friday (23/6).
The Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, and their entourage took off from Soetta Airport around 11.00 WIB to Tokyo, Japan.
This visit is the first visit by Emperor Naruhito to Indonesia since ascending the throne on May 1st, 2019.
He was invited by the President of Indonesia Joko Widodo (Jokowi) when the president came to Tokyo in 2022.
His arrival was welcomed by Basuki on Saturday (17/6) before he spent the past five days in Indonesia.
Apart from Jakarta, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako also visited Bogor, Bekasi and Yogyakarta.
Basuki expressed his gratitude to the emperor for the visit and wished he could come to Indonesia again to attend the 10th World Water Forum that will be held in 2024 in Bali.
During his visit to Yogyakarta on Wednesday (21/6), Emperor Naruhito accompanied by Minister Basuki visited the Sabo Technical Center.
Basuki revealed that this visit could happen because Emperor Naruhito had an interest in the management of water resources. Thus, he wanted to see the development of sabo technology, which originates from Japan, in Indonesia.
“He also hopes that this cooperation can continue. Because with the implementation of sabo technology in Indonesia, Japan also gets feedback to improve and enhance its technology,” he added.
Sabo itself comes from two Japanese words, “Sa” which means sand and “Bo” which means control.
Sabo technology is a technique used to anticipate debris flow and control sediment in a landscape, especially in the rivers in mountains.
Also present accompanying the minister, Expert Staff to the Minister for Technology, Industry and Environment Endra S. Atmawidjaja.
