From the Tsunami to Wartime Legacy: Aceh and Japan Explore New Avenues for Cooperation
The Wali Nanggroe of Aceh, His Excellency Tgk. Malik Mahmud Al-Haythar, attended a luncheon hosted in his honor by the Consul General of Japan in Medan, H.E. Furugori Toru, at the latter’s official residence on Thursday, October 15, 2026. Held as Consul General Furugori’s tenure nears its end, the meeting focused on the continuity of cooperation between Japan and Aceh, including potential initiatives to preserve historical Japanese sites in Sabang.
Zulfikar Idris, Head of the Cooperation and Public Relations Division for the Office of the Wali Nanggroe, stated that the meeting served as an opportunity to evaluate the existing relationship while exploring new collaborations in sectors such as education, disaster management, maritime affairs, energy, investment, and tourism.
During the meeting, Furugori highlighted the Japanese government’s contributions to the recovery and development of Aceh following the earthquake and tsunami on December 26, 2004. In the immediate aftermath, Japan deployed over 2,000 personnel and delivered approximately 403 tons of humanitarian aid.
This support continued through rehabilitation and reconstruction programs, which included the restoration of healthcare facilities, the provision of clean water and sanitation, the construction of evacuation infrastructure, flood control measures, and the revitalization of the fisheries sector.
Other collaborative efforts include the development of the Peusangan Phase II Hydroelectric Power Plant—a project valued at approximately 13.62 billion yen—the development of the Integrated Marine and Fisheries Center (SKPT) in Sabang, and a disaster risk reduction program involving Banda Aceh and the city of Higashimatsushima, Japan.
The Wali Nanggroe expressed his appreciation for Japan’s contributions and voiced his hope that the relationship, which has flourished for over two decades, will continue to grow through partnerships that deliver tangible benefits to the people of Aceh. He also encouraged the development of collaborations with higher education institutions and local governments, including Syiah Kuala University, Teuku Umar University, as well as the West Aceh and Meulaboh regions. Potential areas for development include higher education, joint research, human resource capacity building, technology, and community economic development.
Historical Heritage
One issue receiving special attention is the preservation of Japanese military relics from World War II in Sabang. These remnants—consisting of caves, bunkers, tunnels, and defensive structures in areas such as Anoi Itam, Ujong Kareung, Pantai Kasih, Pasir Putih, and Cot Labu—possess historical value that warrants further study and documentation.
The Wali Nanggroe has proposed the "Sabang World War II Military Heritage Conservation and Tourism Programme" as an initial concept for the research and preservation of this historical legacy. If developed, the program could encompass site inventory, historical research, documentation, and studies on conservation and utilization for historical education and sustainable tourism.
However, this proposal remains in the exploratory stage and has not yet been formalized as an agreed-upon program between the two parties.
Beyond historical heritage, the Wali Nanggroe also highlighted opportunities for cooperation in the maritime sector, port development, the blue economy, clean energy, and sustainable investment. Existing frameworks for Indonesia–Japan economic cooperation—such as the Indonesia–Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (IJEPA) and the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC)—also served as points of reference for the discussion.
To ensure ongoing communication, he further proposed the "Aceh–Japan Strategic Cooperation Initiative (AJSCI)," a preliminary coordination concept designed to identify collaborative opportunities in maritime affairs, historical heritage, disaster management, clean energy, investment, education, and knowledge transfer.
These proposals require further discussion with relevant authorities and must comply with applicable legal regulations. The meeting did not result in any specific decisions or investment commitments. As Furugori’s tenure as Consul General of Japan in Medan nears its end, the Wali Nanggroe expressed his appreciation for his contributions toward fostering friendly relations between Japan and Aceh.
During the reception, Furugori was accompanied by Consul Suzuki and Junior Consul Furusawa. Meanwhile, the Wali Nanggroe was accompanied by his Special Staff for Foreign Diplomatic Cooperation and Peace Promotion, Dr. Mohammad Raviq, as well as Mohammad Adzannie Bessania. []
