ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – Minister of Defense of the Republic of Indonesia Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin together with Minister of Defense of Japan Nakatani Gen held a bilateral meeting at the office of the Indonesian Ministry of Defense, in Jakarta, Tuesday, January 7 2025.
During the meeting, the two ministers agreed to strengthen strategic cooperation in the defense sector, exchange views on regional and global issues, and build trust and mutual understanding through open dialogue.
The two Ministers also welcomed the bilateral relations between Indonesia and Japan which have developed rapidly in recent years, especially regarding the agreement between the leaders of the two countries to upgrade the partnership status from Strategic Partnership to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2023. This increase in partnership status also encourages increased defense cooperation. between Indonesia and Japan.
“Increasing bilateral defense cooperation between Indonesia and Japan is a strategic step to strengthen peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. “Indonesia appreciates Japan’s commitment to deepening this relationship, in line with joint efforts in facing global challenges, such as terrorism, natural disasters and regional tensions,” said Minister Sjafrie, quoted from a press release from the Ministry of Defense.
The two Ministers are determined to increase high-level communication and cooperation between Indonesian and Japanese defense institutions at various levels to make this happen.
In the field of personnel exchange and communications, Indonesia has consistently sent students to Japan’s National Defense Academy (NDA) since 1998, and the total number of students has reached more than 70 people.
Regarding maritime security cooperation, Minister Sjafrie emphasized increasing interoperability between the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) and the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force.
Apart from bilateral cooperation, the two Ministers also discussed forms of multilateral cooperation. Indonesia appreciates Japan’s commitment to strengthening multilateral cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, including with ASEAN, Pacific Island countries, as well as in various forums in the region. Indonesia supports Japan’s efforts, but also emphasizes the importance of the principles of ASEAN Centrality and inclusiveness in this cooperation.
Regarding increasing cooperation at unit level cooperation, Minister Sjafrie said that Indonesia really appreciates the cooperation that has been established in the form of joint exercises such as Super Garuda Shield and Komodo, which have made a major contribution to increasing interoperability between the two Armed Forces.
In military equipment cooperation, Indonesia understands the importance of cooperation in the field of military equipment, especially those related to the maritime capabilities of the two countries.
“We realize the importance of equipment cooperation to improve the maritime capabilities of the two countries,” said Sjafrie. (AT Network)
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