Jakarta – The Chief of Staff to the President, General TNI (ret.) Dr. Moeldoko received an official visit from the Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia, H.E. Masaki Yasushi at the Bina Graha building, Jakarta, Friday (2/2). The visit was to introduce the new Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia, as Masaki recently carried out his duty in Indonesia in December 2023. Moeldoko also stated that relations between Indonesia and Japan would not be affected in the midst of the General Election in 2024.
Since the past 65 years, Moeldoko stated that the remarkably good bilateral relationship between Indonesia and Japan should continue to be maintained. He also added that the economic cooperation between Indonesia and Japan cumulatively from 2016 to the 3rd quarter (Q3) of 2022 reached USD 27.28 billion. Also Japan is positioned as the 4th largest foreign investment value in 2022, reaching USD 3.6 billion. “I hope for the presence of the new ambassador, H.E. Masaki, can further strengthen the existing relationship,” said Moeldoko.
Moeldoko reiterated that Japan is a strategic partner of Indonesia in various sectors, especially in the economy and infrastructure sectors. Furthermore, Moeldoko said that currently the two countries will focus more on renewable energy and defense corporations. Regarding cooperation in renewable energy, Moeldoko believes that the two countries have the same attention to the green economy. Meanwhile, regarding defense cooperation, Moeldoko added, the two countries have the same responsibility to maintain peace and security stability in the Indo-Pacific region. This can also be seen in Japan’s participation in non-war joint training cooperation with the Indonesian Navy.
“As a former Indonesian Army Commander, I have a comprehensive view in bringing about military cooperation between Japan and Indonesia. I think in the future, we must contribute more to creating stability in the region and we can discuss a lot more military equipment to strengthen the two countries,” add Moeldoko.
Meanwhile, Masaki noted his Government’s commitment in working closely with the Government of Indonesia on the green economy and to jointly show the contribution of the energy transition in the region and the world. Regarding defense cooperation, Masaki said that the Government of Japan is updating its defense policy and wants to continue cooperation in the main defense equipment with Asian countries, which currently involves Philippines and Vietnam.
“This cooperation will be more concrete in the future, especially maritime cooperation because Indonesia and Japan face the same situation. Therefore, we must work together to realize the vision of maritime peace,” said Masaki.
