Japanese PM Will Visit Malaysia-RI, Defense Minister Discusses Plans To Meet With Prabowo

JAKARTA - Minister of Defense (Menhan) Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and Japanese Defense Minister Nakaani Gen discussed the plan to meet President Prabowo Subianto with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba which will take place in the near future.

The discussion was carried out by Sjafrie and Nakaati when holding a closed meeting at the Ministry of Defense office, Central Jakarta, Tuesday, January 7

"Earlier, it was conveyed at a glance that there was a plan (meeting between Prabowo and Ishiba) and of course today's activities are a series in order to support the visit," said Head of Bureau (Karo) Infohan Secretariat General of the Ministry of Defense Brigadier General Frega Ferdinand Wenas after the meeting of the two figures took place, confiscated by Antara.

Frega explained that a meeting between the two country leaders was held to discuss the continuation of the previously established cooperation such as collaboration in the defense and security sector.

In the military field, Frega hopes that the meeting can open up opportunities for Indonesia and Japan to hold meetings between ministries and military commanders to discuss defense issues.

"It is hoped that this can be increased to be held again by two plus two and not even at the level of the Minister of Defense and the Minister of Foreign Affairs but also at the level of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Chief of Staff of the Forces," said Frega.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba will visit Indonesia and Malaysia on January 9-12 to discuss bilateral cooperation and issues in the region, Japanese Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters in Tokyo.

Ishiba is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to convey Japan's desire to establish a closer bilateral relationship with Malaysia and discuss the situation in the region.

In Indonesia, Ishiba will speak with President Prabowo Subianto regarding efforts to increase security cooperation.

Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakaati will also visit Indonesia in early 2025 for a dialogue with Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin

"Japan respects the principle of a free and open Indo-Pacific based on law and cooperation with developing countries in the region," Hayashi said.

He also emphasized the importance of the South Asian region as a strategic maritime traffic route. Japanese cooperation in the region is very significant, he said.

Prabowo Subianto visited Japan in April, and met with Japanese Prime Minister at the time, Fumio Kishida.

During the visit, Prabowo, who was still the defense minister and president-elect of the Republic of Indonesia, agreed with Kishida to increase security cooperation.