Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Indonesian President Joko Widodo agreed Wednesday to closely cooperate in ensuring the success of a summit of the Group of 20 major economies Widodo will host in November.
In a meeting in Tokyo, Widodo told Kishida that Indonesia has lifted all restrictions on imports of Japanese food products that were imposed in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear crisis in 2011, a move Kishida hailed as encouraging for residents of affected areas in northeastern Japan.
The two leaders affirmed bilateral defense cooperation, with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force slated to join a multinational joint exercise in Indonesia in August for the first time, Kishida said in a post-meeting joint news conference with Widodo.
They pledged to step up coordination in realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific, with Japan vowing to strengthen maritime security in the region in response to China's assertive posture and military buildup.
Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, visited Japan as part of a three-nation East Asia tour to rally their support behind the G-20 summit. He met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Tuesday and will have talks with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul on Thursday.
In the midst of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Widodo has invited both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the G-20 summit.
Kishida and Widodo affirmed all countries must comply with international law and respect a state's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said, in a veiled criticism of Russia's aggression against Ukraine.
Widodo briefed Kishida about his recent visits to Moscow and Kyiv for talks with their leaders, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi told reporters, without providing details.
The two leaders also focused on China's militarization of disputed areas of the South China Sea, the situation in Myanmar in the wake of last year's coup and North Korea's missile and nuclear weapons development, as well as nuclear nonproliferation, she said.
Kishida said he conveyed Japan's intent to provide about 43.6 billion yen ($318 million) in loans to complete a hydroelectric plant in Indonesia.
Widodo said he asked Japan to reduce or abolish tariffs it imposes on some Indonesian products, including tuna, pineapple and bananas, and to provide market access for mangoes.
The president also conveyed his condolences over the death of Shinzo Abe, who was fatally shot earlier this month, saying the former Japanese leader and the longest-serving prime minister helped elevate bilateral relations to a strategic partnership.
Widodo's visit came ahead of the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Indonesia next year, while the year also marks the 50th anniversary of friendship and cooperation between Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
In recent years, Japan and Indonesia have been boosting cooperation in security, with the Japanese ground force's participation in the upcoming Garuda Shield joint military exercise being the latest example.
Indonesia and the United States have also invited other nations, including Australia and Singapore, to take part in their annual drill as China's growing military assertiveness raises security concerns in the Indo-Pacific region.
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