"kokoro No Tomo" To Mark 55Th Anniversary Of RI-Japan Relations

Jakarta, Dec 12 (ANTARA) - The launch of "Kokoro no Tomo" television program will mark the 55th anniversary of Indonesia-Japan relations in 2013. Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia Yoshinori Katori announced the planned launch of the program during a party celebrating the 79th birthday of Emperor Akihito at Mulia Hotel in Jakarta on Tuesday night. "Kokoro no Tomo, which literally means `friend of heart�, represents the bilateral relations between Japan and Indonesia, which will complete 55 years in August 2013,� he noted. "The program is aimed at strengthening mutual understanding between Japanese and Indonesian people through many interesting topics," Katori explained. A private TV broadcaster has been chosen as media partner for broadcasting the program in Indonesia from January 2013 onwards. "The television medium was chosen because of its capacity to reach the maximum number of people across the nation," Katori pointed out. Several more events � a sumo competition and a Japanese handicraft exhibition, among others � will be held to commemorate the partnership anniversary. "As we commemorate the 55th anniversary of Indonesia-Japan relations, we hope both countries prosper more," Katori stated. The celebration party was also attended by Coordinating Minister for People�s Welfare Agung Laksono. �On behalf of the Indonesian government, I wish happy birthday to His Majesty Emperor Akihito. May he live long," he said.