Bali Strengthens Partnership with Japan as 2025 Tourism Targets Set to Soar
Bali, July 26, 2025 – The Indonesian island of Bali is reinforcing its ties with Japan amidst a booming tourism sector that is poised to exceed its 2025 visitor targets. This development was highlighted during a recent official meeting between Bali’s Governor Wayan Koster and Japan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Akiko Ikuina, focusing on advancing collaboration in tourism, education, and other vital sectors.
Enhancing Bilateral Relations
Governor Koster warmly welcomed the Japanese delegation, emphasizing the deep cultural respect Japanese tourists show toward Balinese traditions. “We really appreciate Japanese tourists who respect local culture and rules,” he stated. He underscored the many shared cultural values between the Balinese and Japanese peoples as a strong basis for continued partnership.
The Bali Provincial Government reaffirmed its openness to broadening cooperation opportunities, not only in tourism but across education, agriculture, renewable energy, waste management, and infrastructure. Governor Koster remarked on the valuable agricultural expertise Bali has acquired from Japanese education and expressed a desire for further support from Japan in this field, saying, “We hope Japan can support us. We are ready to follow up on various opportunities for concrete cooperation with the Japanese Consulate General in Bali.”
Japan’s Enthusiasm for Bali’s Potential
Deputy Foreign Minister Akiko Ikuina highlighted Bali’s outstanding appeal in tourism, culture, and environmental stewardship. She noted that over 2,200 Japanese nationals currently reside in Bali, reflecting the strong people-to-people connection between the two regions. Minister Ikuina also praised Bali’s efforts to ensure the comfort and safety of Japanese residents and visitors.
Moreover, she pointed out the growing exchange of human resources between Indonesia and Japan. The number of Indonesian nationals living in Japan has tripled over the past five years to approximately 200,000. Emphasizing the importance of educational and training exchanges, she revealed that nearly 6,800 Indonesian students are studying in Japan, ranking Indonesia ninth globally for student numbers in the country.
Tourism Growth and Sustainability Concerns
While Japanese tourists remain frequent visitors to Bali, they are not yet among the top five nationalities arriving on the island, which currently include primarily Australians, Indians, and Chinese tourists. Nevertheless, Bali’s tourism sector is experiencing remarkable growth, with projections exceeding 6.5 million international visitors by year-end 2025. This growth comes with challenges. In May 2025, Bali Police Chief Inspector General Daniel Adityajaya convened a meeting with Consuls General and other diplomatic representatives from countries with residents in Bali following several incidents involving foreign tourists engaging in antisocial or illegal behaviors. He emphasized the need for improved communication between consulates and their citizens to prevent future problems.
Chief Inspector Adityajaya stressed the Bali Regional Police’s commitment to maintaining a stable, safe, and comfortable environment for residents and tourists alike. He appealed to all stakeholders to support efforts toward sustainable tourism development that respects Balinese traditions and prioritizes security and stability.
Looking Ahead
Bali’s balanced approach to welcoming international visitors while safeguarding local culture and community well-being defines the island’s strategy as it aims to continually elevate its tourism industry. The strengthened relationship with Japan exemplifies Bali’s broader vision of strategic international partnerships fostering growth across multiple sectors.
As Bali prepares to surpass its tourism targets for 2025, ongoing cooperation with countries like Japan will be instrumental in supporting sustainable development and cultural exchange, ensuring that the island remains a premier destination on the global stage.
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