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Japanese Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako pay their respects at Kalibata cemetery
The fallen 28 former Japanese soldiers who joined in the fight for Indonesian independence were buried at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery in South Jakarta.
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Japanese Emperor Naruhito (left) and Empress Masako (right) pay their respects to 28 former Japanese soldiers buried at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery in South Jakarta during a visit on Tuesday. (YouTube/Courtesy of KompasTV) (YouTube/Courtesy of KompasTV)
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apanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako visited the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery in South Jakarta on Tuesday to pay their respects to the fallen 28 former Japanese soldiers who joined in the fight for Indonesian independence.
In the ceremony, broadcasted by KompasTV, the emperor and empress were seen offering flowers and bowing in respect to the fallen during a moment of silence.
In a press conference on June 15 ahead of his visit, Naruhito recognized the past “difficult time” in the relations between Japan and Indonesia, apparently referencing Japan’s wartime occupation of Indonesia, which was previously colonized by the Dutch.
Japan occupied Indonesia from 1942 to 1945, and soon after the Japanese surrendered in World War II Indonesia declared independence.
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako arrived in Jakarta on Saturday, their second overseas trip since Naruhito was crowned emperor in 2019. The couple also attended the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in London in September 2022.
The couple received the invitation to visit Indonesia from President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo in July last year during the President’s visit to Japan.
On Monday, Naruhito was received by President Jokowi at the Bogor Palace in West Java, during which the former said his visit was part of Japan’s continued diplomacy with Indonesia.
Meanwhile, President Jokowi said it was an honor for Indonesia to be visited by Emperor Naruhito, stressing the importance of economic collaboration between Jakarta and Tokyo.
On Sunday, Naruhito also tried out the MRT Jakarta facilities and visited a reservoir pump station in North Jakarta, both of which were constructed with aid and investment from Japan.
On Wednesday, Naruhito is scheduled to travel to Yogyakarta to meet with the Javanese royal family at the Yogyakarta Palace, and then visit Borobudur temple in Magelang, Central Java, before returning to Japan on Friday.
This year marks the 65th anniversary of Indonesia and Japan's diplomatic relationship, as well as the 50th anniversary of ties between Japan and ASEAN, which is chaired by Indonesia this year. (ami)
