Press Releases
Japan-Indonesia Foreign Ministers’ Telephone Talk
December 3, 2021
On December 3, commencing at 3:40 p.m. for approximately 25 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a telephone talk with H.E. Ms. Retno L.P. Marsudi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia. The overview of the talk is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Hayashi expressed his interest in forging close ties with Minister Retno to promote bilateral cooperation. In response, Minister Retno offered her congratulations to Minister Hayashi on his appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan.
- Minister Hayashi expressed his intention to advance concrete cooperation for the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” and the “ASEAN Outlook for the Indo-Pacific,” including in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and their surrounding areas. Moreover, Minister Hayashi stated that Japan will continue to cooperate with Indonesia including in such fields as infrastructure development, human resource development, maritime safety and response to COVID-19. In response, Minister Retno expressed her gratitude for the cooperation from Japan to date, and stated her intention to further coordinate to strengthen the relations between the two countries.
- The two Ministers also exchanged views on regional affairs, and Minister Hayashi expressed his strong opposition to unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the East and South China Seas. The two Ministers affirmed the importance of the rule of law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). In addition, the two Ministers also exchanged views on North Korea including its nuclear and missile-related activities, and Minister Hayashi asked for continued understanding and cooperation on the abductions issue.
- The two Ministers also exchanged views on the situation in Myanmar. Minister Hayashi expressed his expectation for an early visit to Myanmar by ASEAN Special Envoy and reaffirmed that Japan will continue to fully support the initiatives of ASEAN. In response, Minister Retno explained recent developments and ASEAN’s efforts going forward. The two Ministers concurred to continue working in close coordination in response to the situation in Myanmar.
- Indonesia is to hold the G20 presidency in 2022 as well as the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2023, which will mark the 50th anniversary of Japan-ASEAN Friendship and Cooperation. In this regard, the two Ministers confirmed that they will continue to jointly address regional and international affairs.