Japan-Indonesia Relations

On January 10, commencing at around 10:20 a.m. for approximately 60 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is visiting Jakarta, the Republic of Indonesia, held a Japan-Indonesia Ministerial-Level Strategic Dialogue (small group meeting and plenary meeting) with H.E. Ms. Retno L.P. Marsudi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia. The overview of the meetings is as follows.

1. At the outset, Minister Motegi stated, “I offer my sympathy to those affected by the recent floods in Jakarta and the surrounding areas.” Minister Motegi also stated, “This is my first visit to Indonesia as Foreign Minister,” “I am pleased to hold this Strategic Dialogue with gun and I look forward to exchanging views regarding a range of issues with Indonesia, a regional leader, based on the outcomes of the recent summit and foreign ministers’ meetings.” Minister Retno responded by saying, “I welcome your visit to Jakarta and I am happy that we can meet again following our meeting in Nagoya last November. I expect that this meeting in the new year will give us an overall picture of our future bilateral cooperation and lead to even closer collaboration on regional and global issues.”
2. The two ministers confirmed that the two countries will strengthen cooperation in fields such as infrastructure development and human resource development, as confirmed at the summit and foreign ministers’ meetings in November 2019. The two ministers shared the view on launching a framework that will oversee overall bilateral cooperation projects, including those in the above-mentioned areas.
3. Regarding infrastructure development, the two ministers shared the view on continuing to work toward developing the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) network in Jakarta and construct the Patimban Port. In addition, Minister Motegi expressed Japan’s intention to cooperate on human resource development by making use of the newly established public-private joint framework for reviewing human resource development and export promotion measures.
4. Minister Retno requested Japan’s cooperation for the development of Indonesia’s outer islands, including the Natuna Islands. Minister Motegi noted that both Indonesia and Japan are maritime nations, and Japan intends to continue to deepen their bilateral maritime cooperation. Minister Motegi stated, “Japan will commence technical cooperation for the Indonesia Coast Guard (BAKAMLA) in January of this year and  projects will  begin for the development of fishing ports and markets in outer islands, including Biak in February.”
5. In the area of security, the two ministers shared the view on accelerating coordination to hold the second Japan-Indonesia Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting (2+2) as early as possible.
6. Minister Motegi stated, “The Government of Japan has decided to provide yen loans to support infrastructure reconstruction in Central Sulawesi.”
7. Minister Motegi welcomed Indonesia’s decision to mitigate its import restrictions on Japanese food products, which were introduced following the accident at TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, and continued to request the early lifting of the restrictions.
8. Minister Motegi sought Indonesia’s cooperation with the project for collecting the remains of Japanese soldiers who died in Indonesia, which was confirmed at the recent Japan-Indonesia summit meeting.
9. Regarding the regional situation, Minister Motegi stated that Japan fully supports the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), an Indonesia-led initiative, which was welcomed by Minister Retno. The two ministers shared the view on deepening concrete cooperation for strengthening synergies between AOIP and the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP). Regarding the issue of the South China Sea, the two ministers shared their serious concerns over attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force, and confirmed the two countries’ intention to continue their close cooperation. In addition, the two ministers exchanged views regarding the situation in the Middle East.
10. With regard to North Korea, the two ministers shared the view on working closely toward the complete denuclearization of North Korea, including full implementation of relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. Minister Motegi also sought Indonesia’s understanding and cooperation for the early resolution of the abductions issue and obtained its support.
11. The two ministers shared the view that Japan and Indonesia will continue their close coordination for the negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement.