Palembang, S Sumatra (ANTARASumsel) - Asia Pulp & Paper Sinar Mas has become the first Indonesian company to be a member of Japan`s economic organization Keidanren, according to a release received by Antara here Thursday.

Keidanren is the most respected association in Japan because of the number of its members and the scale of its businesses.

The association facilitates meetings involving the Japanese government and industries.

"We hail the membership of APP as the first Indonesian company in Keidanren. APP Sinar Mas has successfully expanded abroad in a developed country like Japan," Chairman of APP Japan Tan Ui Sian said.

APP Japan`s membership in Keidanren affirms the company`s position in Japan as being equal to big and top companies in that country.

"This clearly gives an opportunity to APP Japan to know and cooperate with other members in Keidanren," he said.

Japan is a country known for its high operational standards where consumers care much about products made through a green process especially the ones from forests or natural resources, Tan admitted.

"APP photocopy paper is now the market leader in Japan with its market share about 25 percent. This reflects Japanese consumers` confidence not only in the quality of the product but also in the commitment of the company to implementing a sustainable forest-based industry," he said.

Besides photocopy paper, APP Japan is also taken into account for other products such as HVS, tissue and toilet papers.

APP is currently seeking to increase its market share for packaging board and specialty grade products such as coloured paper and stationary products.

"With APP`s membership in Keidanren it is hoped Indonesia will be able to play a bigger role later to deepen the economic relations between Indonesia and Japan," he said.

APP Sinar Mas, through APP Japan, also consistently invites all stakeholders in Japan to care about environment problems and participate in the efforts to deal with climate change through among others by planting trees in various regions in Indonesia along with academicians, researchers, government agencies, and business and association elements, in addition to Japanese NGOs.

In August, APP Japan will invite Japanese sport legends to be involved in the activities.