TOKYO, March 31 – Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto agreed Tuesday to promote concrete cooperation in the economic and security fields, as Tokyo aims to boost relations with the major Southeast Asian power with China in mind.
In a joint press appearance after the talks in Tokyo, Takaichi said the two leaders also affirmed their nations’ close alignment in addressing the situation in the Middle East, where the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war against Iran has fueled energy supply concerns and driven crude oil prices higher.
At their first face-to-face meeting since Takaichi took office in October, she said Japan will help Indonesia cultivate artificial intelligence-related human resources and enhance maritime security capabilities.
“Japan and Indonesia are comprehensive and strategic partners that have built a longstanding friendly relationship,” Takaichi said, while Prabowo called bilateral ties an “exemplary” model for other countries.
Prabowo also said Indonesia and Japan should “walk together” in the current international situation, which he said was “fraught with dangers.” He also showed his eagerness to contribute to “deescalation,” apparently with the ongoing Middle East conflict in mind.
Japan regards collaborating with Indonesia as essential for the realization of a “free and open” Indo-Pacific, a vision advocated by Tokyo to counter China’s growing military and economic clout in the region.
Tokyo and Jakarta have been bolstering their defense cooperation in recent years through Japan’s “official security assistance” framework, under which it provides defense equipment to like-minded countries, as well as through joint exercises between their forces.
In Asia, the Middle East conflict stemming from the start of U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran late last month has created massive uncertainty about securing oil supplies, most of which come through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iranian forces have effectively blocked.
Japan sources nearly all its crude oil from overseas and relies on the Middle East for more than 90 percent of its crude oil imports, while Indonesia depends on the region for around 20 to 25 percent of its oil procurement, according to the official.
Prabowo, who arrived in Tokyo on Sunday for a three-day stay in the capital city, met Emperor Naruhito and his younger brother, Crown Prince Fumihito, on Monday.
