Pitana pointed out that in 2014 the number of Japanese tourists to Indonesia reached more than 500,000 people.
In 2015, the number is predicted to increase and in 2016, it is estimated to go up to 600,000 tourists from Japan.
"The Japanese tourists like Indonesian culture very much, because it has various kinds," he remarked.
Japan is expected to include in the biggest five of countries whose tourists visit Indonesia after Singapore, Malaysia, China and Australia.
In 2019, the number of Japanese tourists is expected to reach 1 million people. Moreover, the Indonesian government has issued a policy on free visa for short visit for Japanese tourists.
They will get free visa for 30 days. Japan is one of 90 countries that receive free visit-visa to Indonesia.
In the meantime, Indonesian Consul General in Osaka, Wisnu Edi Pratignyo, said he is optimistic that the Japanese tourists will keep on coming to Indonesia.
"While Japan also has the potential to invest in the tourism sector. So, Japan in Indonesia does not only invest in the automotive and electronic industries. They will enter the tourism sector," Wisnu said.
The Indonesian Ministry of Tourism held a media conference under the theme "Indonesia Tourism Insight: Policy and Strategy" in Osaka, on November 19, 2015.
The conference is aimed at disseminating new policies on tourism that will make Japanese tourists easier to Indonesia.
The new policy concerns the provision of free visa for short visit for Japanese tourists who will take vacation in Indonesia.(WDY)
