Indonesia has initiated a nationwide free school meal program this month, bolstered by Japanese support. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reaffirmed Japan’s assistance during a meeting with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Saturday.
President Prabowo, who assumed office in October last year, has made free school meals a cornerstone of his administration’s policies. As part of Japan’s support, school meal program specialists will be dispatched to aid implementation.
On January 6, students at an elementary school in Jakarta enjoyed fried chicken as part of the roughly 600,000 meals served across the nation that day.
The program is designed to combat poverty in remote areas and address economic inequalities. By 2029, the initiative is expected to serve nearly 80 million children, with an estimated budget of 450 trillion rupiahs (approximately ¥4.4 trillion). However, concerns have been raised regarding the program’s funding sources.
Other nations have also expressed their support to strengthen ties with President Prabowo’s administration. In November, China pledged financial assistance for the program, while the United States announced plans to help expand Indonesia’s milk production.