Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia and Japan agreed to boost various forms of cooperation in the maritime, investment, environment, and energy sectors during a state visit conducted by Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to the East Asian country.
“To strengthen peace and security in the maritime area surrounding Indonesia, I have conveyed to President Joko Widodo that Japan will further support the improvement of (Indonesia’s) maritime capabilities,” Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida remarked while welcoming the Indonesian president at his office in Tokyo, Japan, as quoted from a statement received here on Wednesday.
The prime minister said his side’s support was also apparent from the implementation of a review on the cooperation for the granting of patrol boats being conducted currently.
“We also welcome the memorandum of cooperation on the maritime security sector that has been signed,” he affirmed.
In addition, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force will participate in the Garuda Shield multilateral joint military exercise held in Indonesia in August 2022, he stated.
“Hence, we expect that the two countries’ security cooperation, including (knowledge) exchanges in the defense sector, can be increased,” he remarked.
Furthermore, Indonesia and Japan agreed to collaborate in the infrastructure sector.
“I have conveyed to President Joko Widodo that we are processing (to provide) a loan worth approximately ¥43.6 billion (US$318.3 million) for the (development of) disaster mitigation facilities and the completion of the Peusangan Hydropower Plant,” Kishida revealed.
Kishida and Jokowi are also encouraging more intensive cooperation on decarbonization efforts and the energy sector to create a zero-emission Asian community. “We (the Japanese government) also laud many Japanese companies that are starting to invest a lot in Indonesia for the development of energy, automotive industry, food, as well as start-up sectors,” the prime minister stated.