Emperor Naruhito of Japan welcomes President of Indonesia

Emperor Naruhito hosted President Prabowo of Indonesia at the Imperial Palace on Monday and made a comment about his recent cold. 

It was a great sight to see the Emperor of Japan back working as usual after recently shaking off a bad cold. Emperor Naruhito welcomed the President of Indonesia at the Imperial Palace on Monday in connection with the President’s official visit to Japan.

On the ‘footsteps’ of the Imperial Palace, Emperor Naruhito warmly welcomed the President with a handshake. The two then proceeded inside to the Take-no-ma Room for discussions. Topics included the unfortunate frequency of natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods in both countries, as well as the importance of disaster prevention, according to the Imperial Household Agency. The Emperor also mentioned the contributions of Indonesian students, nurses, and healthcare workers in Japan. The conversation was enlivened by an exchange of anecdotes, reflecting the personal rapport between the two heads of state, while the Emperor conveyed his gratitude for Indonesia’s contributions following the Great East Japan Earthquake.

The President also held a meeting with Crown Prince Akishino (Prince Fumihito). This meeting further cemented the bonds of friendship between Indonesia and Japan, the President’s Secretariat said in a statement.

Around 12:20 in the afternoon, Emperor Naruhito, accompanied by Crown Prince Akishino, hosted a state luncheon in honour of President Prabowo Subianto’s visit to Japan. The President’s Secretariat said in a statement,

The state luncheon unfolded in an atmosphere of great cordiality, set against the backdrop of a beautifully landscaped garden situated directly before the two leaders. President Prabowo appeared to deeply appreciate the beauty of the setting while engaging in light, fluid, and friendly conversation. Throughout the luncheon, President Prabowo was observed smiling on several occasions—reflecting the comfortable atmosphere—and even took a moment to express his admiration for the garden scenery.

This occasion served not only as a reflection of official state-to-state relations but also as a demonstration of the genuine personal rapport between the two leaders. The warmth generated during the visit serves as a strong signal that the Indonesia-Japan partnership continues to advance, becoming ever closer and more strategic in the years to come.

During the visit—serving as a strong affirmation of the mutual respect, trust, and friendship between Indonesia and Japan—the President was accompanied by Ragowo Hediprasetyo, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono, and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya. Following the luncheon, the President and his delegation were seen off by Emperor Naruhito.

Regarding the recent cold, which forced the postponement of the Tohoku regional visit, Emperor Naruhito told reporters after seeing off the President, “Thank you for your concern. I have recovered. Masako is also feeling much better. Thank you for your concern.”

News which many will find reassuring after the learning of the postponement earlier this month. Both Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako have struggled to shake off severe colds, which caused the unfortunate delay. The IHA noted at the time that the Imperial Couple were “deeply disappointed” at having to miss the scheduled trip and “wished to visit the two prefectures at a later date.” Their upcoming visit to Fukushima Prefecture on 6th April remains as planned.