What role has Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA), which celebrated its 70th anniversary this year, played in various countries? We asked the ambassadors of Indonesia and Turkey, two countries with which Japan has long enjoyed friendly relations, about Japan’s ODA, JICA’s role, and their expectations for the future.
- Interviews are listed in alphabetical order of country name.
Ambassador Heli Ahmadi (right), Indonesian Ambassador to Japan, and Ambassador Korkut Güngen, Turkish Ambassador to Japan.
Cooperation in a wide range of areas from urban transportation development to energy transition and human resource development: Ambassador Heli Ahmadi, Ambassador of Indonesia to Japan
In 2024, Japan and Indonesia celebrate 66 years of diplomatic relations. Ambassador Ahmadi spoke of the importance of Japan’s cooperation in areas such as energy transition and human resource development, in addition to the achievements of JICA-supported construction of the country’s first subway system.
Ambassador Ahmadi being interviewed at the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo
–What is one of JICA’s most impressive cooperation efforts in Indonesia?
Ambassador Ahmadi: Over the years, JICA has undertaken a number of important initiatives in Indonesia. Many of them are infrastructure projects. Many Indonesian engineers and students have acquired skills in infrastructure development in Japan. Human resource development is essential for the development of a country. In this respect, the project has produced significant results. JICA also plays an important role in the development of higher education in Indonesia. In addition to the development of facilities, many Indonesian faculty members are studying in Japan. Many of the participants of these JICA-supported programs are now working in Indonesia in important government positions and are also successful in the business world.
–Have you ever been directly involved in JICA cooperation yourself?
Ambassador Ahmadi: Between 2002 and 2004, I was appointed as a member of the Indonesia-Japan Policy Dialogue, as I was then a member of the National Assembly. This was an attempt to find solutions for Indonesia’s economic recovery and political reforms after the economic crisis of the late 1990s and early 2000s. As part of this effort, Professor Takashi Shiraishi of Kyoto University (then President of Kumamoto Prefectural University), who was a member of the Japanese side, and I, in cooperation with JICA, established the Public Opinion Research Institute (LSI) in Indonesia. We used a scientific approach to survey the detailed consciousness of the people, and played a very important role in guiding the development of a democratic country.
–The establishment of a polling organization was truly a groundbreaking initiative.
Ambassador Ahmadi: That is correct. This was a first for Indonesia. Prior to that, the elections during the Suharto administration were not democratic. The impact of the polls was very significant because it revealed what the people wanted from politics, and it helped the government to manage the country with a sense of urgency.
The Impact of Subway Improvement on Citizens and the Challenge of Energy Transition
–JICA is helping to develop the Jakarta Urban Rapid Transit (MRT), the country’s first subway, which opens in 2019. Have you ever used the subway yourself, Ambassador?
Ambassador Ahmadi: I accompanied His Majesty the Emperor of Japan when he visited Indonesia in June 2023 and inspected the MRT depot. The Emperor was very impressed with the MRT operation system and the female drivers with whom he conversed. Currently, all MRT drivers are Indonesian, and about half are women.
–How is this MRT evaluated by Indonesian citizens?
Ambassador Ahmadi: It has been very well received. We have had no accidents since the start of service, and our on-time performance rate (OTP) is 99.8%, which is unheard of in Indonesia. This is unheard of among Indonesian railroads. The stations are clean and no crimes have been reported. I believe that the MRT project has not only improved the city’s infrastructure, but has also changed the mindset of Indonesian citizens about what a mature city should be.
Jakarta Urban Railway rolling stock
Female technician performing vehicle maintenance
–In line with climate change, energy reform is an urgent issue in Indonesia. What kind of initiatives are you currently working on with JICA regarding decarbonization and energy transition?
Ambassador Ahmadi: In November 2022, the Indonesian State Electricity Corporation (PLN) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with JICA to collaborate and cooperate on energy transitions in the power sector to decarbonize Indonesia. And Indonesia and Japan jointly announced an initiative to realize the “Asian Zero Emissions Community (AZEC)” concept, with Japan pledging $500 million in support. In March 2023, an AZEC Ministerial Meeting was held in Tokyo with the participation of Japan, nine ASEAN countries, and Australia, in an effort to move beyond a two-way framework to a more multifaceted approach.
Japan, along with the United States and other countries, is participating in the Fair Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), which supports the decarbonization of developing countries. Some Japanese companies are working in Indonesia to use carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology to store carbon dioxide emitted from power plants and factories deep underground. And I believe that hydrogen will be an important source of energy in the future.
Ambassador Ahmadi expresses hope for stronger ties with Japan for energy reform
Matching Indonesian youth with Japanese technology
–What are your thoughts on the future partnership between JICA and Indonesia?
Ambassador Ahmadi: In terms of demographics, Japan and Indonesia are complementary. Indonesia has natural resources and a large pool of young and talented human resources. Japan has capital, advanced technology, and expertise. If we can match Japanese experience with Indonesian youth, we will be a powerful force in the future. Currently, the number of Indonesian students studying in Japan is very small, about 7,000. Vietnam has more than 50,000 and China more than that. We would like to see an increase in the number of foreign students and research projects in Japan.
–I see that you have high expectations for Japan, not only in terms of large-scale infrastructure projects, but also in terms of human resource development.
Ambassador Ahmadi: Large-scale infrastructure projects could be undertaken jointly with the private sector, and we hope that JICA will be proactive in inviting Indonesian students to Japan and further developing training facilities in Indonesia. Both governments have agreed to set a goal of 100,000 Indonesians working in Japan. However, it is not the number that is important, but rather the ability of Indonesians to successfully adapt to work in Japan. I believe that Indonesia and Japan can build an even closer partnership in the future through the development of human resources.
Toward Recovery from the Earthquake, Refugee Assistance, and the Challenge of Common Challenges: Ambassador Korkut Güngen, Ambassador of Turkey to Japan
The year 2024 marks the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Turkey. Ambassador Korkut Güngen spoke about JICA’s longstanding cooperation, as well as its support for reconstruction following the massive earthquake that struck southeastern Turkey in February 2023, and its efforts to address issues common to both countries, such as disaster prevention and environmental energy.
Ambassador Korkut Güngen interviewed at the Turkish Embassy in Tokyo
–JICA has worked on a variety of projects in Turkey. Please tell us about some of the projects that you feel have had the greatest impact.
Ambassador Güngen: The first thing that comes to mind is the construction of the 13.5 km long Marmaray subway tunnel that runs under the Bosphorus Strait. This has contributed greatly to improving the living conditions of the people of Istanbul. I am from Istanbul, and when I cross the Bosphorus, I often choose the metro tunnel over the busy bridge.
–Turkey has accepted many refugees from Syria and other countries, and JICA has also supported these efforts.
Ambassador Güngen: Since the Syrian conflict in 2011, Turkey has hosted approximately 3.7 million refugees from Syria. Most of them have now settled in Turkey and are receiving a high level of social care, including education for their children. The support from JICA has been a great help in this regard.
Thanks to International Emergency Relief Teams Deployed to Earthquake-Stricken Areas of Turkey
–After a major earthquake hit southeastern Turkey in February 2023, Japan quickly dispatched an international emergency relief team. The Ambassador was seen off at the airport, wasn’t he?
Ambassador Güngen: I always made it a point to see the International Emergency Relief teams off when they left Japan. We wanted to express our gratitude. Just 12 hours after the earthquake, the JICA rescue team was at the airport fully equipped for Turkey, 10,000 kilometers away, and JICA played a central role in the series of assistance by deploying rescue teams and subsequent medical teams and expert teams for rehabilitation and reconstruction. JICA played a central role in the relief efforts by dispatching rescue teams and subsequent medical teams and experts for recovery and reconstruction. Japan also provided a variety of other assistance, including the transport of tents from Pakistan within the framework of support by the International Emergency Relief Team. One of the most memorable moments was when the aid workers set up a very advanced field hospital with medical staff. The support we received from the Japanese people is unforgettable. We are very grateful.
Ambassador Güngen (front row, fifth from right) at the airport to see off the International Emergency Relief Team deployed to Turkey.
Rescue team (above) and medical team (below) of the International Emergency Relief Team dispatched to Turkey through JICA immediately after the earthquake.
–Please tell us about your cooperation with JICA from a long-term perspective for disaster prevention and reconstruction.
Ambassador Güngen: JICA is actively working with local governments in Turkey to respond to natural disasters such as earthquakes. For example, Turkish local government officials sometimes come to Japan to learn about reconstruction policies. We have also begun to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the affected areas.
Establishment of the Turkey-Japan University of Science and Technology on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
–In 2024, both countries celebrate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Are there any initiatives to commemorate this milestone?
Ambassador Güngen: One of the initiatives to further develop the long friendship between our two countries is the opening of the Turkish-Japanese University of Science and Technology (TJU), which will officially begin its educational program at the graduate level in 2024. The president of the university is Turkish and the first vice president is Japanese. JICA is also cooperating in the development of the university. The cooperation of Japan, which is technologically superior, is very important. We expect that this university will have an impact not only in Turkey but also in the entire region.
–What kind of learning and research will proceed?
Ambassador Güngen: We will first focus on disaster prevention and mitigation from natural disasters and earthquakes, with an additional special emphasis on the environment and energy. This research area reflects the common challenges of Turkey and Japan. Both are earthquake-prone countries, and in the area of environment and energy, both countries have to import energy resources and can share experiences and work together towards the development of renewable energy and energy storage. Although we are Turkish and Japanese academic institutions, we do not close our doors to scholars from other countries.
Ambassador Güngen discusses the educational programs at TJU
–In what areas do you think cooperation between Turkey and Japan will advance in the future?
Ambassador Güngen: There are a variety of projects that we can work on in cooperation with JICA. Unfortunately, we need to continue to work on responding to natural disasters, as it is inevitable in the future. We also hope to cooperate with JICA in other countries. We hope to expand our cooperation to other countries through collaboration between JICA and Turkish institutions that have similar roles to those of JICA, such as the Turkish International Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) and the Prime Minister’s Office Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (AFAD), which is responsible for disaster management.
–How is JICA’s cooperation received by Turkish citizens?
Ambassador Güngen: The Marmaray subway tunnel, completed with the help of JICA, was a dream of Istanbul. Turkey is very friendly toward Japan. I am not exaggerating. Japan has a special place in Turkey’s heart because of the historical background that Japanese people devoted themselves to rescuing the crew of a Turkish warship that was lost off the coast of Wakayama Prefecture during the Meiji Era (1868-1912). And I feel that the bond between Turkey and Japan has been further deepened by the rescue and reconstruction assistance provided by the recent major earthquake.
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