Japan-Indonesia agreed to step up bilateral cooperation

Japan’s Defense Minister Nakatani has agreed with his Indonesian counterpart to step up bilateral cooperation in the field of maritime security.

Nakatani met with Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin in the capital Jakarta on Tuesday.

The two ministers agreed on the need to boost security cooperation to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific.

They agreed to begin working-level talks for the transfer of defense equipment and technological cooperation, including the joint development of a naval ship. The ministers also confirmed that the two countries will engage in joint drills and exchanges of senior personnel.