Jakarta. Lippo Cikarang, the urban development arm of the Lippo Group, officially launched the Japan Information Center at Trivium Terrace Apartments in Cikarang, West Java, on Friday (17/11).

The center will cater to the 2,000 Japanese expatriates living in the area, while it is also aimed at attracting future investors from the East Asian country.

According to Nami Sato, head of township management at Lippo Cikarang's Japan Desk, about 10 percent of the estimated 20,000 Japanese expatriates in Indonesia live in the area.

Lippo Cikarang is incorporated into the East Jakarta Industrial Park, an industrial area home to hundreds of Japanese companies, including Toyota Tsusho, Mitsubishi and Sanko Soflan Holdings.

As Lippo Cikarang has become a prospective investment destination, the Japan Information Center will provide Japanese investors with information on business opportunities.

"As an industrial estate and integrated business development, Lippo Cikarang will fully support efforts to disseminate information to ease investment in Indonesia," Lippo Cikarang president director Toto Bartholomeus said in a speech during the event.

Lippo Group representative, Ginanjar Kartasasmita, expressed hope that the Japan Information Center will create a comfortable atmosphere for Japanese investors to create more job opportunities in Indonesia.

"Japan has contributed a lot in creating jobs in Indonesia and is also a potential market for Indonesian businesses," Ginanjar said.

Sato said the Japan Information Center will also assist Japanese expatriates seeking information on how to adapt to life in Indonesia, such as how to buy mobile credit and pay maintenance fees.

The center will also serve as a cultural exchange facilitator for Japanese and Indonesians.

"So far, Japanese expatriates only play golf and do karaoke in their spare time. The Japan Information Center will also serve its purpose to introduce Indonesian culture, which in my opinion is very diverse," Sato said. She added that playing gamelan will be one of the upcoming activities at the center.

The two-story building, located among natural surroundings with a view of a lake, features a library, multifunction room and co-working space.

Lippo Cikarang township offers residential facilities that meet Japanese preferences in every aspect. The facilities include Hikari Japanese School, Sanko Soflan apartments and Newport Park apartments.

The Jakarta Globe is affiliated with the Lippo Group.