During a visit to Bogor, Indonesia, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto affirmed commitments to strengthen economic and defense partnerships amidst global geopolitical tensions. Ishiba’s trip follows meetings with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and aims to enhance regional cooperation to address Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea, especially as the U.S. presence in the area may change under the incoming Trump administration.
Welcomed with traditional Indonesian attire and a military band at the Bogor presidential palace, Ishiba and Subianto, both former defense ministers, engaged in discussions on various cooperation areas. Japan pledged support for Indonesia’s food and energy self-sufficiency goals, defense development, industrialization of natural resources, and provision of nutritious meals for schoolchildren. Additionally, Japan vowed assistance for Indonesia’s OECD membership aspirations and signed a loan agreement worth 90.4 billion yen for infrastructure projects, including a new port at Patimban.
During a joint press conference, Ishiba and Subianto highlighted the need for regional stability and dialogue to ease political tensions. They agreed to explore maritime security discussions and defense equipment technology cooperation. This visit builds on recent talks between Japanese and Indonesian defense ministers regarding potential joint development projects in naval technology, given Japan’s restrictions on exporting military equipment.
Amid concerns over China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea, Ishiba emphasized Japan’s commitment to upholding international rules and peaceful resolution of disputes. Indonesia, maintaining a non-aligned stance, aims to reduce tensions in the region while safeguarding its strategic maritime interests. The partnership between Japan, Indonesia, and Malaysia underscores the importance of regional security and economic cooperation in the face of evolving geopolitical challenges.
Indonesia and its Southeast Asian neighbors have been navigating complex relationships in the South China Sea. While there is no formal dispute with Beijing, Indonesia recently reported that its patrol ships had to intervene when a Chinese coast guard vessel approached an Indonesian energy company vessel conducting a seismic survey in October. This incident highlights the ongoing tensions and challenges faced by countries in the region. Reporting from Jakarta, Karmini provided this update, with contributions to the report from Associated Press writers Edna Tarigan and Mari Yamaguchi.
