Japanese Emperor Naruhito has met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo during his first official foreign trip since ascending the Chrysanthemum Throne in 2019. Widodo and first lady Iriana welcomed Naruhito and Empress Masako at the Bogor presidential palace on Monday, along with greeters wearing Indonesian traditional clothes. Naruhito is seeking to underline the friendship between Japan and Indonesia. He says he and Masako have been able to deepen their understanding of Indonesia’s people and culture while also reflecting on its history. Japanese troops occupied Indonesia, then the Dutch East Indies colony, during World War II until Tokyo surrendered in August 1945.
