JAKARTA (JAPAN) – Japan and Indonesia agreed on Tuesday to fasten talks with the export of Japanese defence gear and technology to Indonesia. They will have both their defence and foreign ministers meet soon.
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is on a four-day trip to Vietnam and Indonesia, his first after assuming office last month. It is part of Tokyo’s effort to boost ties with the two key countries in Southeast Asia.
Suga said about discussions with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, “To further advance security and defence cooperation between the two countries amid the changing regional situation, we’ve agreed to hold a meeting of foreign and defence ministers at an early date and to accelerate talks over the transfer of defence equipment and technology.”
The Indonesian leader, widely known as Jokowi, said that a stronger partnership between Tokyo and Jakarta was vital. He mentioned, “especially amid increasingly glaring rivalry between world’s big powers”, while referring to a confrontation between United States and China.
Suga and his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc agreed in principle on a military equipment and technology export pact on Monday.
Suga must balance Japan’s deep economic ties with China with security concerns, including Beijing’s growing push to assert claims over disputed East China Sea isles. Some in his ruling party want to see a harder line, after ties warmed under Abe.