Some people say that Indonesia has acted unwise by signing military agreements with Australia and Japan, and also by concluding an Open Skies military agreement with the United States, leaving its strategic autonomy severely diminished.
The Jakarta Post's front-page report states that the photos show unity. On Monday, Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto (left) and Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Katsunari inspected an honor guard at a welcome ceremony held in the Indonesian Ministry of Defense office in Jakarta.
Japan has relaxed its arms export restrictions and signed a defense agreement with Indonesia.
On Monday, Indonesia and Japan celebrated the signing of a new Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA), marking a "historic milestone" in their security relations, reaffirming their commitment to maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific region amid growing geopolitical anxieties.
The defense cooperation agreement was signed during a visit by Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Katsunari to Indonesia. Katsunari began his five-day Southeast Asia tour on Sunday, with Indonesia as the first stop.
Before signing the agreement, Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto told reporters in Jakarta that this year’s inaugural Indonesia-Japan Defense Ministerial Meeting represented an important step toward deepening long-term bilateral relations, emphasizing both sides’ shared commitment to strengthening close coordination between their respective defense institutions.
"We have agreed to advance substantive cooperation between Indonesia and Japan in defense industry and personnel development, taking into account each country’s national interests," Prabowo said.
In parallel, Katsunari stated that the Defense Cooperation Agreement would serve as the foundation for future defense collaboration between the two nations, calling it a pivotal milestone in Indonesia-Japan defense relations. "In the increasingly complex and tense international environment—including developments related to Iran—deepening defense cooperation between Japan and Indonesia, two maritime nations sharing common fundamental values, will make significant contributions to peace, stability, and the entire region," Katsunari added.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1864395540638732/
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