Jakarta, Sept. 8 -- Youth and Sports Minister Erick Thohir has said pencak silat , Indonesia's traditional martial art, has great potential to serve as a bridge for sports diplomacy in strengthening relations between Indonesia and Japan.

According to him, cooperation in pencak silat could open wider space for interaction between the peoples of both countries, in line with efforts to enhance cooperation in youth and sports affairs.

"One thing we are offering is how we can cooperate on pencak silat," Thohir said at an event held at the official residence of the Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia here on Tuesday.

Thohir said sports diplomacy holds important meaning, as relations between Indonesia and Japan need to be built not only through ...