Prabowo Subianto Emphasized The Need for Stronger Defense Ties with Japan

TheIndonesia.co - Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto emphasized the need to step up bilateral collaboration, including in defense, during a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo on Wednesday.

According to a statement from his office, during the meeting, Prabowo underlined the need for Indonesia and Japan to continue to enhance multi-sectoral bilateral partnerships.

"The two countries have been maintaining a sound level of cooperation. I would like to ask the Japanese government to continue to cooperate for the sake of forging a stronger bond and intensifying defense collaboration," he told Kishida, as quoted by Antara.

The Japanese prime minister said that he was delighted to receive the Indonesian president-elect in Japan, saying the two countries share similar principles and values and have long maintained a close partnership.

During the meeting held in his office, the prime minister also expressed his government's keenness to further deepen cooperation with Indonesia, especially to ensure that the Indo-Pacific remains a free and open zone.

Japan is the second country visited by Prabowo after China since the General Election Commission (KPU) announced his victory in the 2024 presidential election on March 20.

Prabowo and his entourage arrived at Haneda International Airport in Tokyo early on Wednesday. In Tokyo, he is also scheduled to meet with Japanese Defense Minister Kihara Minoru and the chairperson of the Japan-Indonesia Association (JAPINDA), Yasuo Fukuda.

During the meeting, Prabowo was accompanied by the Indonesian Ambassador to Japan, Heri Akhmadi; head of the Strategic Intelligence Agency of the Indonesian Armed Forces (BAIS TNI), Lieutenant General Yudi Abrimantyo; and head of the Defense Ministry's Defense Facilities Agency, Vice Marshall Yusuf Jauhari, among others.

Meanwhile, PM Kishida led a delegation comprising several high-ranking officials, including Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroshi Moria; Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Takehiro Funakoshi; Defense Deputy Minister for International Affairs, Kiyoshi Serizawa; and Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia, Masaki Yasushi.