I visited University of Darma Persada for making a TV show and I had a chance to have an hour and a half lecture on Preventive Nutritional Science as a compound science toward more than 100 students who belong to Society of Japanese Linguistics. University of Darma Persada is a very unique private university which provides four departments; Society of Linguistics specializing in English, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean, Engineering Technology, Technological Oceanography, and Economics.

What makes this university the most unique about goes back to the year of 1985 when it was established as a university. More than 100 out of all the founders who studied in Japan through a postwar compensation program raised the funds for it because they all knew this university was essential to build up a firm relationship with Japan in order for Indonesia to develop more. Some people were so passionate about this university that they even sold their own houses to donate money. There is such a heart touching background that students who studied in Japan wanted to put their hands together, but what made me more surprised was that most of them were in their early 30s. I imagine how stimulating it was to stay in Japan.

During the high economic growth era after World War II, it may not be too much to say that people in Japan grew out of the pain of a defeat and regardless of occupations whether private or public employed, united for the same aim, to flourish the nation. The elites standing at the forefront of Indonesia led their nation to follow the example of Japan’s historical success to unite and aim for a growth instead of having political disputes between the majorities. This is so similar to Samurai warriors who traveled to the United States on the Kanrin Maru around the Meiji Restoration. Those Samurai warriors found the United States stimulating and wished to make Japan as such.

The current President of the University, Mr. Oroan, sponsored my lecture this time and he is one of the 100 founders, who also graduated from the graduate school of University of Kyoto. He believes that Indonesia and Japan should continue to share good parts, support each other, and work together to develop both countries from now on. He has a passion behind his gentle and refined smile. I respect him as I have the same idea.

80% of the people of Indonesia are in favor of Japan. I believe they have the closest sensitivity to the Japanese people. People in Indonesia are kind. They care for children and the elderly. They are earnest. The personality common to Indonesians is optimistic. They smile frequently. Back in times as shown in a movie, “Always Sunset on Third Street,” Japanese people used to laugh more as exchanging greetings or having chats with neighbors. I recalled those old memories when I saw people in Indonesia.