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Joint Stamp Issue

Commemorative the 50th Anniversary

of Indonesia-Japan Diplomatic Relationship

This year the diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Japan commemorates its 50th anniversary. The diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Japan started in 1958, marked by the designation of peace agreement between The Republic of Indonesia and Japan. During the 50 years both countries have been expanding their cooperation and friendship not only in economic, but also in culture, education and in other fields.

To commemorative this important event, a series of activities is held throughout the year which is declared as "Golden Year of Friendship 2008". In order to extend the relationship and promote mutual understanding between the two countries to the next generation, cooperation between countries has beeen planned in the fields of education, economic, cultural, sports and human resources exchange. One of the main events in the year-long agenda is the issuance of a joint stamp series between the two countries.

Unlike other stamp series that have been issued in Indonesia which only presented one stamp design from each participating country, this joint issue depicts five designs of each country; totaling 10 stamps altogether . The five stamps are designed according to agreed themes namely : scenery/mountain, pagoda/temple, flower, traditional musical, instrument, and fish.

Kelimutu Mountain/Lake

In the local language (Flores island), "keli' means mountain and "mutu" means boiling, shortly it can be said that "Kelimutu" means the volcano crater. It is a small yet well-known volcano. What makes it different from other volcanoes is that this 1,690-m volcano has three summit crater lakes of varying colors namely Wine Red, Green, and Dark Blue. The westernmost of the three lakes, Tiwu Ata Mbupu (Lake of old People) is usually blue. The other two lakes, Tiwu Nuwa Muri Koo Fai (Lake of Young Men and Maidens) is green and Tiwu Ata Polo (Bewitched or Enchanted Lake) is red, both are divided by a crater wall. The lake colors vary from time to time due to the active upwelling of subaqueous fumaroles at the two eastern lakes. After an earthquake in 1992 the level of the lakes dropped and changed color overnight to their current configuration of green, chocolate and black. This special characteristic of the lake water gives it nickname "The Three Colored Lake."   

Fuji Mountain

At 3,766 m, Fuji Mountain is the highest mountain in Japan and also an active volcano whose last recorded eruption was in 1707-1708. The mountain straddles the boundary of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures just west of Tokyo. Its symmmetrical cone is a well-known symbol of Japan and It is a frequent subject of Japanese art. The summit has been thought of as sacred since ancient times. Today, it is a popular tourist destination and common destination for mountain-climbing. On the stamp, it is depicted with Sakura (Cherry blossom), another symbol of Japan, on the foreground, makes it picture-perfect. Due to its height, the climate on the summit it is very cold and for a couple of months of the year, the cone is covered by snows. On a clear day, the mountain can be seen from Tokyo, Yokohama, and sometimes even as far as Chiba.

Borobudur Temple

Borobudur, located in central Java, is the largest and the most glorious Buddhist monument in the World. No wonder if this temple is acknownledged as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, The 42-m high structure (forming a lotus, the sacred flower of Buddha) was built on a bedrock hill in the form of three tiers: six square platforms, the trunk of a cone with three circular platforms and, at the center top, a monumental stupa surrounded by 72 Buddha statues seated inside perforated stupa.

The monument is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. The length of each lowest part is 113 meters. It is of uncertain age, but thought to have bee built between th 8th or 9th century during the ruling of Syailendra Dynasty. Following the decline of Buddhist and Hindu kingdom in Java in the 14th century, the temple was abandoned and buried for centuries and was rediscovered in 1814 by Sir Thomas Raffles, The British ruler of Java. Borobudur has since been preserved through several restorations.

Pagoda of Toji

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