ANTARA NEWS



 

Founder of the Sakuranesia Foundation, Tovic Rustam, along with Sakura Ijuin, paid a courtesy visit to Bunkyo Gakuin University in Tokyo, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

Rustam, in a statement released in Jakarta on Friday, said that the Sakuranesia Foundation is an organization that focuses on developing educational ties between Japan and Indonesia.

"I hope this can be a momentum to deepen cultural exchange with Indonesia," he added.

He said the visit was made with the support of Azalee Group director, Kurusu, and general manager Yamaguchi, who have built a comprehensive cooperative relationship with Bunkyo Gakuin University.

During the meeting, the two parties discussed the possibility of establishing a Japanese language faculty in Indonesia as a concrete step in educational cooperation.

Founded in 1924 as Shimada Saihou Denshusho, or Shimada Sewing Training Institute, Bunkyo Gakuin University has now developed into an integrated educational institution, offering kindergarten to postgraduate programs.

The university is known for its philosophy of "Independence and Coexistence," which continues to be relevant today.

In 2026, the university will open the Faculty of Human Data Science to educate human resources about creating a society that lives side by side by utilizing data in the fields of the environment, local communities, health, and welfare that are directly related to human happiness.

 

The rector and chair of the Bunkyo Gakuin Foundation, Masakazu Shimada, expressed his commitment to providing education that is relevant to the challenges of the times.

During the visit, Rustam presented an exclusive batik cloth created by Indonesian renowned artist Guruh Soekarnoputra to Shimada as a sign of friendship and respect for Indonesia's cultural heritage.

"This batik is a unique work that only exists in the world," he said.

In response, Shimada said he will preserve and respect the intangible cultural heritage of Indonesia as part of its century-old history.

Rustam expressed the hope that the gift would be seen as a good initial symbol to strengthen cultural and educational exchanges between Japan and Indonesia.

"The Sakuranesia Foundation, which continues to actively bridge educational cooperation between Japan and Indonesia, is expected to continue to grow and contribute to the advancement of global education," he said.