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orth Sumatra is hoping to establish more cooperation with Japan, especially on waste management and tourism, North Sumatra Deputy Governor Musa Rajekshah said.

“Everyone already knows Japan is famous for its technological sophistication. […] I hope there will be more cooperation between North Sumatra and Japan in the future. Especially related to technology,” Musa said at the Business and Technology Symposium as part of the celebrations for the 60th anniversary of Indonesian and Japanese diplomatic relations, at the Aryaduta Hotel in Medan on Tuesday.

The symposium was organized by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), featuring presentations from Japanese technology companies.

Besides Medan, the symposium has been held in Jakarta, Denpasar, Makassar, and will be held in Surabaya in December.

“Currently, we are concerned with waste management technology. We want to learn from Japan on how waste in North Sumatra can be managed properly, for example by turning waste into energy or other useful products,” Musa said.

He added that people in the suburbs near landfills would be affected by pollution, especially the younger generation who could be born with congenital diseases.

In addition, Musa said the tourism potential of Lake Toba, the second largest freshwater lake in the world, had yet to be fully explored.

“The beauty of nature is extraordinary, if it is managed well, it will have a positive impact, while the economy of the community will improve and bring prosperity to local people,” he said.

Takeshi Ishii, Japan’s consul general in Medan, said Japanese technology could be applied in Indonesia, while investment could also increase exports and state revenue.