Japanese Diplomat Pens Book on Enhancing Indonesia-Japan Friendship

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - The Japanese Embassy's former deputy chief of mission to Indonesia, Yusuke Shindo, has written a book titled, "Mengenal Jepang" or "Knowing Japan" to enhance relations between Indonesia and Japan.

Through an email interview, Shindo, who is now serving as the permanent representative for the UN Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, Switzerland, informed an Antara correspondent here on Friday, that he hoped that his book would be able to promote mutual understanding between Indonesia and Japan in a quest to enhance its people-to-people relations.

Shindo noted that his book was also a farewell gift to friends and colleagues in Jakarta and a legacy for the Indonesian people, whom he admired for their warmth and hospitality.

"I wrote this book based on my deep appreciation for Indonesia and its people, who have given me unforgettable memories during my two-year service in Indonesia," he affirmed.

Shindo explained that the inspiration to write "Knowing Japan" was drawn from his cultural lectures at various universities, high schools, and institutions in Indonesia during his term as a Japanese diplomat.

Based on those experiences, Shindo was constantly taken aback by the immense interest and enthusiasm shown by the Indonesian participants toward Japan, which was apparent by the various comments and queries.

Shindo had served as the minister of culture and information from 2012 to 2014 and later went on to become the deputy chief of mission at the Japanese Embassy in Indonesia until March 2015.

"I then started to think that delivering lectures is not sufficient to help the Indonesians who are interested to know further about our country, Japan," he remarked.

"That was my initial motivation to write this book," Shindo revealed.

Through the book, Shindo has shed light on the Japanese culture and characteristics from a natives point of view, who is also an experienced diplomat, with an easy-to-understand explanation and enriched details about the uniqueness of Japan.

Through his book, Shindo has explained about the concept of "wa," which is the first and the most important article of the seventeen articles of the Japanese Constitution, as the basic key to understanding Japan and its people.

"Wa", which in English translates to "harmony", implies peaceful unity and conformity within a social group, in which the members prefer the continuation of a harmonious community over their personal interests.

The concept of "wa" seems to be a red thread, which connects all chapters detailing about the Japanese culture and its people in the 256-page book, ranging from why several Japanese do not speak fluent English to the culture and to taking care of things through a concept called "mottainai." (WDY)