Indonesia and Japan promise deeper defense and economic ties as regional tensions spike

During his visit to Indonesia on Saturday, Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso pledged to deepen economic and defense ties between the two nations. This move is seen as an effort to foster regional cooperation amidst China's growing influence and the impending inauguration of Donald Trump as U.S. President. Prime Minister Aso arrived in Jakarta on Friday from Kuala Lumpur, where he had previously met with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Aso stated that he hopes to meet with Trump as soon as possible after his inauguration on January 20th, and plans to convey the importance of engaging with the region. "Until I actually talk with Mr. Trump, I don't know how much interest he has in this region," Aso told reporters, adding, "I am sure that diplomatic engagement in this region is extremely important for Japan, and also extremely important for the United States."

Japan aims to send a message that it respects the rules-based international order, contrasting with China's more aggressive behavior in the disputed South China Sea, where Beijing claims sovereignty over almost the entire area. Aso stated in a statement on Friday, "Any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo by force or coercion is unacceptable anywhere in the world."

During his meeting with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at the Presidential Palace in Bogor, outside Jakarta, Aso pledged support for Indonesia's goals of achieving food and energy self-sufficiency, participating in its defense development and natural resource industrialization, including strategic mineral mining, and providing nutritious meals for Indonesian schoolchildren. Aso also promised to help Indonesia become a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

The two sides signed an agreement for Japanese loans of up to 90.4 billion yen (US$573 million) for projects including the construction of a new port in Patimban, aimed at improving Indonesia's transportation and distribution systems. "Indonesia wants to maintain good relations with all countries in order to contribute to easing tensions between major powers," Subianto said.

Indonesia has been on the periphery of territorial disputes in the South China Sea between China and its Southeast Asian neighbors. Although Indonesia has stated that its patrol ships have repeatedly driven a Chinese coast guard vessel away from a vessel conducting seismic surveys for an Indonesian energy company in October, it has no formal dispute with Beijing. "Regarding bilateral relations in the security field, we have agreed to start discussions between defense officials of the two countries on maritime security, including cooperation in defense equipment technology," Aso said.

Japan and Indonesia have previously agreed to continue negotiations on the joint development of naval vessels and other military equipment, as well as technology transfers. Under Japan’s current defense guidelines, it cannot export finished frigates or submarines. Indonesia has pledged to remain non-aligned in the competition between Washington and Beijing, but has expressed concern over the rising security tensions in the region.