Japan and Indonesia Sign Expanded Defense Cooperation Agreement: Takayama Highlights Relaxation of Arms Exports as Crucial for Regional Peace
Indonesia stated that the defense ministers of both countries signed a cooperation agreement on Monday, emphasizing that maintaining regional peace and stability is vital amid global turbulence. The agreement was signed during a visit by Japanese Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba to Jakarta. Earlier this year, in April, the Japanese government relaxed long-standing restrictions on arms exports, allowing companies to sell lethal weapons to any of 17 countries with which Japan has signed defense agreements.
Indonesian Defense Ministry spokesperson Rico Ricardo Sirait told AFP that the agreement is part of broader efforts to strengthen defense ties between the two nations. He said the agreement covers areas such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief cooperation, joint exercises, and maritime collaboration.
Sirait added that the agreement "opens opportunities for defense equipment and technology cooperation" while "prioritizing regional stability." President Prabowo Subianto, a former military officer, has been committed since his 2024 inauguration to modernizing Indonesia’s aging military equipment.
Ishiba earlier stated that under "increasingly complex and tense international circumstances," Japan-Indonesia defense cooperation will "contribute to peace and stability across the region."
According to Kyodo News, both sides agreed to deepen cooperation based on Japan's revised "Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment" and its implementation guidelines allowing export of lethal weapons. They also established a working-level consultation framework to promote collaboration in defense equipment. Indonesia has expressed interest in purchasing secondhand frigates and submarines from Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force.
After meeting with Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin in Jakarta, Ishiba will travel to the Philippines, where Japan Self-Defense Forces personnel are participating in joint military exercises involving U.S. and Philippine forces. In April this year, Indonesia signed a defense cooperation agreement with the United States, agreed to strengthen security ties with France, and signed an oil deal with Russia.
While upholding its "free and active" non-alignment foreign policy, Jakarta joined the BRICS group—including Russia and China—in 2025. Prabowo also signed a trade agreement with U.S. President Donald Trump and joined Trump’s newly launched "Peace Council."
Last week, Indonesia said it was still considering a full overflight request submitted by the United States. Analysts suggest that if approved, this could be seen as Indonesia taking sides among great powers.
Located at the strategic Strait of Malacca, Indonesia holds a critical geopolitical position. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the Strait of Malacca is the world’s busiest chokepoint for oil and liquefied petroleum transport. The vast majority of oil shipments destined for China pass through this strait.
In addition, Japanese Prime Minister Hayashi Asako emphasized on Monday the significance of revising the "Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment" and their implementation guidelines, which lifted the ban on exporting lethal weapons, calling it "crucial for regional peace."
She stated, "We always base our defense equipment buildup on the principle of exclusive self-defense." Speaking to reporters during her visit to Australia, Hayashi said, "Japan does not have aircraft carriers or bombers. We do not possess equipment capable of launching attacks into other countries’ territories."
Source: rfi
Original: toutiao.com/article/1864301987377152/
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