Jakarta (The Jakarta Post/ANN) - Japan's movie business will most likely be given easy access to shoot their productions in Indonesia following a deal to boost both countries' creative industries.
According to Indonesian Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Mari Elka Pangestu, Japan is exploring the possibility of shooting more movies in Indonesia, following a joint production of action-flick "The Killers" to be launched next year.
The plan was triggered by Indonesian action blockbuster "The Raid".
"The film turned out to be very popular in Japan. Then, Japan thinks that it may be able to shoot a movie in Indonesia," Pangestu said, adding that Japanese producers were looking for overseas locations offering lower production costs.
Several foreign producers have used Indonesia as one of their locations, including "Eat Pray Love" starring Julia Roberts and "The Philosophers", with James D'arcy, Bonnie Wright and several local stars.
The Tourism and Creative Industry Ministry has said that it would ease regulations on filmmaking to attract foreign productions. Japan is now on the list.
Pangestu met Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yukio Edano on Tuesday to sign a joint statement on cooperation.
Under the agreement, Japan and Indonesia will exchange experience on developing the creative industry, improving human resources, industry management and facilitating private and business to business relations.
"There will be exhibitions, seminars and joint productions between the two countries, which will lead to investment in Indonesia," Pangestu said.
She pointed out that the cooperation would focus on creative content like movies, music, games and plays and manufacturing, particularly fashion and handicrafts.
Japan has a programme - Cool Japan Strategy - launched 10 years ago to promote the creative industry. Japans pop culture has been in Indonesia for years, in the form of anime and recently via a pop-group, through girl-band AKB 48 and Indonesian sister band JKT 48.
Despite more Japanese pop culture in the country, Pangestu believes that Indonesia will be able to maintain its identity and uniqueness.
"Our basis must be our own heritage. What we will learn from Japan is how to make products to an international standard, so that it can be internationally recognised," she said.
"Moreover, if we want to enter the Japanese market, we have to understand Japanese taste," Pangestu added.
Following the deal, Indonesia and Japan will form a team to work on technical matters. Representatives from Japan's Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry, several companies and experts will take part in a creative products exhibition called Pekan Produk Kreatif Indonesia (PPKI) scheduled for Nov. 21 to 25 in Jakarta.
