Japan is the second biggest foreign investor in Southeast Asia's largest economy with a total of USD 1.4 billion while Singapore leads the way with an estimated USD 1.6 billion of investments in 2017 according to the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM.)

Two-way non-oil trade between Indonesia and Japan has dropped by just over 14% in recent years (2012-2016) according to figures issued by Indonesia's Bureau of Statistics (BPS). Nevertheless, bilateral trade rose by 11.63% with Indonesia posting a USD 2.5 billion surplus.

A trade mission to Japan organized by the Indonesian Trade Ministry at the end of November 2017 may have had something to do with this, with 21 companies promoting Indonesian merchandise, services and opportunities to Japanese businesses.

Indonesia’s primary exports to Japan include coal, copper, nickel, shrimp, paper products, palm oil derivatives, furniture, coffee and tires.

Bali's exports to Japan increased by over USD 11 million from January to November 2017, reaching some USD 60.49 million, up from USD 49.42 million in the same period in 2016, according to a recent report in Antara News.

Even though more was exported to the United States (in excess of USD 176 million) and Australia (over USD 118 million) in 2017, it is only Japan where Indonesia exports more than it imports said Chairman of the Bali Chamber of Commerce (KADIN), AA Ngurah Alit Wiraputra in a recent Japan-Indonesia scientific symposium held in Gianyar, Bali.

Wiraputra said Bali's leading exports were tuna, (export value of USD 136.47 million), textiles and textile products (with USD 86.65 million), woodcrafts (USD $ 77 million), handicrafts and furniture (USD 32 million) and silver handicrafts (USD 30.39.)

Source: Bisnis.Com, Antara, The Jakarta Post, BKPM, Tempo, Indonesian Ministry of Trade

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