TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The meeting between Japanese Foreign Affairs Minister Taro Kono and his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi on June 25 concluded to hold a defense ministerial meeting at the end of 2018.
Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia Masafumi Ishii stated the meeting will likely discuss North Korea's nuclear weapon, the dispute in South China sea, freedom in navigation, and potential partnership on defense equipment.
“The relationship of both countries is getting better including in politics and security sectors,” said Ishii on Thursday, July 5.
Indonesia has yet purchased defense equipment from Japan thus far. The talks on defense issue were limited to possible ties in the future, such as technology and system developments.
Meanwhile, Indonesia Defense University Director Lieutenant General Yudi Suwastono said Indonesia and Japan have strong commitments in promoting peace. The close partnership in defense between both countries in ASEAN was said to be able to stabilize the area.
SUCI SEKARWATI