Sakuranesia strengthens Indonesia-Japan ties through cultural envoy

 The Sakuranesia Foundation has stepped up efforts to strengthen friendship and cultural diplomacy between Indonesia and Japan through the appointment of a cultural envoy actively involved in a range of arts and cultural exchange activities throughout 2025.

In a statement received in Jakarta on Friday, the foundation said Japanese idol Ayaka Yasumoto, a member of the pop group Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku, had been appointed as a Cultural Ambassador of the Sakuranesia Foundation.

“The foundation is engaged in cultural and educational exchanges between Indonesia and Japan,” said Sakuranesia founder Tovic Rustam.

He said Ayaka Yasumoto’s appointment followed her involvement in a number of Indonesia-Japan cultural initiatives.

“Her participation reflects an active role in promoting cross-cultural dialogue and artistic exchange between the two countries,” he said.

The series of activities began in June 2025, when Ayaka was a guest at the Japan-Indonesia Friendship Cultural Dialogue organized by the Sakuranesia Foundation at the Indonesian Pavilion during Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.

The event featured cross-cultural friendship dialogue highlighting the role of the arts and creative expression as a means of strengthening ties between nations.

During the dialogue, Ayaka appeared alongside several Indonesian cultural figures, including makeup artist and art practitioner Bubah Alfian, to discuss collaboration and cross-cultural understanding between Indonesia and Japan.

Cultural collaboration continued in August 2025, when Ayaka was invited to Indonesia as a Japanese guest performer at the Jember Fashion Carnival (JFC) in East Java.

Her participation was facilitated by the Sakuranesia Foundation as part of its cultural exchange program.

The Jember Fashion Carnival is widely recognized as an international-scale fashion carnival that showcases youth creativity and local cultural heritage.

The Sakuranesia Foundation said the appointment of Ayaka Yasumoto as a cultural envoy is expected to help strengthen Indonesia-Japan friendship, particularly among younger generations, while opening opportunities for sustainable cultural collaboration.

Through approaches encompassing the arts, culture, education, and cross-border dialogue, the foundation aims to foster long-term cooperation between Indonesia and Japan in the cultural and educational sectors.