In a recent meeting between the Indonesian Minister of Tourism, Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, and Japan Airlines (JAL) in Tokyo, Japan, the Minister proposed that JAL open a flight route to Yogyakarta to increase the flow of tourist visits between the two countries.
Yogyakarta was proposed as Wardhana considers the region to have strong potential for Japanese tourists. The destination has consistently been a favourite among domestic travellers due to its rich cultural heritage and proximity to Borobudur Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The region is also served by Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA), which is capable of accommodating wide-body aircraft.
To date, JAL operates daily flights on the Tokyo–Jakarta route, as well as approximately 25 weekly flights on the Tokyo–Denpasar route. Wardhana noted that these services play a crucial role in supporting tourist mobility, business travel, and people-to-people exchange between Indonesia and Japan.
“Air connectivity is a key factor in strengthening the flow of tourists between Indonesia and Japan. We hope Japan Airlines can explore opportunities to expand its services to Indonesia, including increasing flight frequency to Bali and opening access to priority destinations like Yogyakarta,” said the Minister in a release received by the press on Tuesday, the 31st of March.
In 2025, Indonesia recorded more than 380,000 Japanese tourist arrivals, representing an increase of over 12% compared to the previous year. However, the number of Indonesian tourists visiting Japan was significantly higher, reaching 636,000 during the same period. In total, tourist exchanges between the two countries exceeded one million trips. Currently, direct flight capacity between Indonesia and Japan stands at approximately 685,000 seats per year, with 46 flights per week—figures considered to be below the potential demand for travel between the two nations.
The Indonesian government continues its efforts to strengthen bilateral partnerships with Japan. On Monday, the 30th of March, the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and the Government of Japan reinforced tourism cooperation through the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) at the Office of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) in Kasumigaseki, Tokyo.
The agreement covers several strategic areas, including joint tourism promotion at international exhibitions; the development of tourism products such as wellness, gastronomy, marine tourism, ecotourism, and cultural experiences; destination management; and the strengthening of sustainable tourism, including tourist villages. It also encompasses private sector collaboration in aviation and the travel industry, human resource development through training and skills exchange, cooperation in MICE and international events, the enhancement of air connectivity, tourism investment opportunities, and improved tourist protection and security.