Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto agreed Wednesday to deepen cooperation in national security and other fields amid China's growing military and economic clout in the Indo-Pacific region.
During talks in Tokyo, Kishida and Prabowo exchanged views on situations in the East and South China seas and North Korea's nuclear and missile programs, pledging to maintain close collaboration, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry.
At the outset of the meeting, which was open to the media, Kishida said Japan would promote the relationship with Indonesia "as partners sharing fundamental values and principles."
Prabowo, currently serving as Indonesian defense minister, called for further strengthening bilateral ties in various areas, such as defense and the economy.
Prabowo visited Japan on the heels of his visit to China for talks with President Xi Jinping on Monday, his first overseas trip after winning the presidential election in February.
Kishida's administration has been seeking to strengthen relations with developing and emerging countries, collectively dubbed the "Global South," among which Indonesia is considered one of the leading powers, along with India and Brazil.
China has been striving to forge close ties with Southeast Asian nations as well, amid rivalry with Japan's close security ally, the United States, while tensions are mounting with the Philippines over a territorial dispute in the South China Sea.
During the talks, Kishida said Tokyo supports Jakarta's efforts to join the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, a Paris-based club of 38 high-income economies, and contribute to Indonesia's development through infrastructure and energy-related collaboration, the ministry said.
Later on Wednesday, Prabowo met with Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara. Kihara aired strong opposition to "unilateral changes to the status quo and any acts that would heighten tensions," according to his ministry, apparently alluding to recent developments with China.
Prabowo is slated to take office in October, succeeding outgoing Indonesian President Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi.
Related coverage:
Indonesia Defense Minister Prabowo wins presidential race
