TOKYO – Japan and Indonesia have agreed to explore deeper defence cooperation through the potential sharing of sensitive maritime information and accelerate talks toward the export of Japanese destroyers, the Japanese Defence Ministry said on June 13. The agreement came after Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi held talks with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin on June 12 as he visited the South-east Asian country. During the meeting, Koizumi said boosting the maritime deterrence of Indonesia, located near critical sea lanes, would also
contribute to the peace and stability of Japan and beyond. Prabowo concurred with Koizumi that both nations need to collaborate in ensuring maritime security, the Japanese side said, adding the President expressed hope for “concrete progress” on defence equipment cooperation. The defence chiefs of Japan and Indonesia agreed last week to launch working-level talks on the export of Asagiri-class destroyers to Indonesia. Japan has been seeking to forge closer ties with South-east Asian nations, with China expanding its influence in the region. During a separate
meeting on June 12, Koizumi and Sjafrie agreed to work toward a “comprehensive” partnership covering training, maintenance and operations through working-level discussions on the transfer of defence equipment, according to the ministry. KYODO NEWS
Japan, Indonesia, defence cooperation, maritime security, intel sharing, sensitive maritime information, destroyer export, Asagiri-class destroyers, Shinjiro Koizumi, Prabowo Subianto, Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, South-east Asia, China influence