Indonesian President-Elect Pledges to Enhance Relations with Japan Following Visit to China

Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto expressed his desire to enhance relations with Japan during a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Subianto, who is currently the defense minister, emphasized the longstanding friendship between the two countries and the need to further strengthen their cooperative relationship.

Japan has been actively seeking closer ties with Southeast Asian nations, particularly in the areas of maritime security and defense, in response to China’s growing military presence in the region. Subianto’s visit to China following his election victory in February highlighted the importance of maintaining stable ties with Beijing amidst tensions in the South China Sea.

China is Indonesia’s largest trading partner, with significant investments in infrastructure projects. Despite the territorial disputes in the South China Sea, Indonesia has maintained a neutral stance, emphasizing friendly relations with China.

During the meeting, Kishida welcomed Subianto’s early visit to Tokyo and expressed Japan’s commitment to enhancing cooperation on regional and global issues as comprehensive and strategic partners. The two leaders discussed areas of collaboration, including infrastructure, energy, security, and defense.

The meeting between Subianto and Kishida comes ahead of Kishida’s upcoming summit with U.S. President Joe Biden and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Washington. The leaders are expected to discuss further strengthening security ties in the region.

Subianto also held talks with Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara, where they pledged to enhance defense cooperation through joint exercises, capacity building, and educational programs in the Indo-Pacific region. Both ministers emphasized the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific based on the rule of law.

The discussions between Indonesia and Japan underscore the growing importance of regional cooperation in maintaining stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region.