Riau, Japan to strengthen ongoing cooperation

The Riau Provincial Government hosted a visit from the Japanese Consulate General in Medan as part of its efforts to strengthen cooperation and open up investment opportunities in various strategic sectors.

Japanese Consul General in Medan Furugori Toru stated that the visit aimed to maintain and develop the existing cooperative relationship between the Japanese Government and Riau.

"We hope that the existing cooperation between Japan and Riau Province will continue and develop in the future," said Furugori on Jan. 20, 2026.

He outlined several forms of cooperation that have been realized, including the Japanese government's assistance in the construction of a crude palm oil (CPO) export dock at the Port of Dumai. Furthermore, there is cooperation with Ube City in Yamaguchi Prefecture on the Tap Water Quality Improvement Project in Bengkalis Regency.

Inter-city cooperation has also been established between Kawasaki City, Pekanbaru City, and Rokan Hulu Regency, particularly in the development of a decarbonization plan and the utilization of waste from palm oil production for the 2019–2024 period. The Japanese government also provided a grant for the construction of elementary and junior high school buildings in Pekanbaru City.

Regarding ongoing collaboration, Furugori highlighted the second phase of the flood control project in Pekanbaru City, which includes the installation of drainage pump stations, dam renovation, drainage channel expansion, and embankment repairs. This project began in 2020 and is targeted for completion in September 2027.

In addition, there is the Forest and Land Fire Prevention Community Movement Program supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). A company from Ehime Prefecture is also conducting a trial with Perkebunan Nusantara (PTPN) subsidiary PTPN V in Kampar Regency to develop a high-tech palm oil mill wastewater treatment system.

Currently, more than 9,000 junior high school students in Riau are enrolled in Japanese language studies. A JICA expert in Japanese language education is also assigned to Universitas Riau (UNRI). Furthermore, Kyoto University and UNRI have collaborated on a peatland restoration project in Riau.

Riau Province Regional Secretary Syahrial Abdi welcomed the visit and acknowledged the long-standing cooperative relationship between Japan and Riau. He added that this visit also serves as an opportunity to renew the collaboration and strengthen future cooperation.

"They also reported that there are currently three Japanese companies operating in Riau Province, as well as several Japanese citizens residing in Riau. This is certainly part of our collective oversight and attention," said Syahrial.

He emphasized the Riau Provincial Government's full support for the collaboration, including offering investment opportunities in industrial areas, which had previously been proposed to the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs.

"We offered the industrial area earlier, and they expressed interest in investing there. We also strongly support cooperation in the field of education, particularly peatland management with UNRI," he said.

Syahrial hopes that this educational and research collaboration will not only focus on URI, but can also be expanded to other higher education institutions in regencies and cities throughout Riau.

"Peatland restoration is a real need for Riau, which has extensive peatland areas. We hope the knowledge and models developed can be shared with other higher education institutions in the region," he concluded.