Japan - Indonesia Jajaki Maritime Defense Cooperation

Japan and Indonesia have agreed to explore closer defense cooperation, including the possibility of sharing sensitive maritime information and accelerating discussions on the export of Japanese destroyers to Indonesia, according to the Japanese Ministry of Defense on Saturday.

The agreement was reached after Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi held a meeting with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin during a visit to Indonesia on Friday.

During the meeting, Koizumi said that Indonesia's increased maritime deterrence capabilities, which are located near the world's strategic shipping lanes, will also contribute to Japan's peace and stability and the wider region.

According to the Japanese side, Prabowo agreed that the two countries needed to strengthen cooperation in maintaining maritime security. The Indonesian President also expressed hope that cooperation in the field of defense equipment could produce tangible progress.

Last week, the heads of the Japanese and Indonesian defense agreed to start working-level talks on the possible export of Asagiri-class destroyers to Indonesia.

Japan in recent years has sought to strengthen ties with Southeast Asian countries amid China's growing influence in the region.

In a separate meeting on Friday, Koizumi and Sjafrie also agreed to encourage a more comprehensive partnership in the field of defense through discussions at the working level regarding the transfer of defense equipment.

The cooperation includes training, maintenance, and operation of defense equipment, according to the Japanese Ministry of Defense.