Republic of Indonesia
First commemorative ceremony after the earthquake disaster in Central Java

At 5: 54 a.m. on May 27th, 2006, an earthquake with the magnitude 6.2 hit Jogjakarta City in mid Java Island of Indonesia. It was reported that approximately 6,000 people died and 40,000 people were injured. The earthquake led to a mass displacement of more than 2.2 million people.

Bantul district, which was located to the south of the Jogjakarta province, had received crucial damage that 70 to 80% of the houses were destroyed.

In the special region of Jogjakarta and the province of Central Java, heavily damaged by the earthquake, there have been implemented various projects for the reconstruction. In May 2007, the rehabilitation of one of the health centers was completed by the Japan's grant aid.

To commemorate the achievement of post-disaster reconstruction, the Indonesian Government held a ceremony at Prambanan Temple Compounds, close to Jogjakarta City, on May 26th, the eve of the first anniversary of the earthquake.

The ceremony was attended by important people from Indonesia, including President Yudhoyono, ministers, the governors of Jogjakarta and Central Java, as well as many ambassadors from donor countries and the representatives of the international organizations which had supported the reconstruction. Our president, Takahisa Sasaki was also invited to the ceremony. Many residents also attended this grand ceremony and their traditional dance was performed. It was easy enough to know the recovery of Jogjakarta when we saw the smile of people.

President Yudhoyono talked with our president Sasaki and expressed his gratitude to the Japanese people for wide-ranging assistances and hope for a long-lasting good relationship with Japan.

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