Indonesia and Japan Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation
Indonesia and Japan have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral ties across various sectors, including defense, energy, and food security, during a high-level meeting on January 11, 2025. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba became the first foreign leader to visit Indonesia this year, holding discussions with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at the Presidential Palace in Bogor, West Java. This visit came a day after Ishiba’s trip to neighboring Malaysia.
Advancing Renewable Energy and Economic Collaboration
According to the Straits Times, Prime Minister Ishiba emphasized Japan’s intent to collaborate with Indonesia on renewable energy initiatives and bolster defense cooperation, particularly in maritime security and technology transfer. President Prabowo underscored the significance of the visit, stating it reflected both nations’ strong commitment to enhancing their comprehensive strategic partnership.
“This visit demonstrates our mutual dedication to strengthening Indonesia-Japan relations and exploring more intensive areas of collaboration,” he said, as reported on the official website of the President of the Republic of Indonesia.
Economic and energy cooperation emerged as key priorities during the bilateral talks. Prime Minister Ishiba expressed Japan’s readiness to support Indonesia in ensuring a stable energy supply through renewable energy projects, including geothermal power plants, hydrogen, and ammonia development.
“We aim to foster collaboration in resources and infrastructure to ensure energy security and advance decarbonization efforts,” Ishiba noted.
Industrialization and Downstream Processing
President Prabowo invited Japan to participate in Indonesia’s industrialization agenda, particularly in downstream processing, which seeks to add value to natural resources before export.
“We encourage Japan to join our efforts in industrializing Indonesia, especially in downstream sectors,” Prabowo said.
Enhancing Defense and Maritime Security
In defense, the two nations agreed to establish a practitioner-level discussion forum to strengthen maritime security cooperation.
Japan committed to providing high-speed patrol vessels to enhance Indonesia’s maritime safety through the Official Security Assistance (OSA) initiative. Prime Minister Ishiba also announced plans to hold a “2+2 meeting” involving the foreign and defense ministers of both countries.
Promoting Indo-Pacific Stability
Beyond bilateral relations, both leaders stressed the importance of maintaining Indo-Pacific stability amidst global geopolitical tensions.
President Prabowo reiterated Indonesia’s aspiration to foster good relations with all nations and economic blocs, aiming to contribute to a less tense global atmosphere. “Indonesia seeks to nurture strong ties with all countries, helping to reduce tensions among major powers,” he remarked.
The meeting highlighted the enduring partnership between Indonesia and Japan, built over decades, and their shared commitment to addressing regional and global challenges through enhanced collaboration.