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Japan pledges to assist RI maritime infrastructure development
Japan has pledged to assist Indonesia in developing its maritime infrastructure as part of its efforts to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries ahead of the end of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyonoâs term in office in October
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apan has pledged to assist Indonesia in developing its maritime infrastructure as part of its efforts to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries ahead of the end of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's term in office in October.
The pledge came during a meeting between Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and Jakarta Governor and president-elect Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo at City Hall on Tuesday, during which they discussed various ideas aimed at strengthening the diplomatic relationship between the two countries.
Deputy press secretary for Japan's foreign minister, Koizhi Mizushima, said that Kishida had specifically touched upon maritime topics, concerning security and territorial sovereignty in the South China Sea, and planned to help Indonesia develop its fisheries industry and transportation infrastructure.
'The minister explained that Japan would gladly assist Indonesia in developing ports and strengthening its fisheries industry. Both he and [Jokowi] agreed to further promote cooperation based on the Japan-Indonesia Strategic Partnership,' Mizushima told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.
He added that Kishida and Jokowi shared 'fundamental values' relating to peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.
When asked about the possibility of allowing more foreign workers, especially from Indonesia, to work in Japan's construction industry, Mizushima said the Japanese government had not yet made any concrete decision on accepting more foreign workers into Japan.
'Controlling the large wave of foreign workers to Japan is currently a big issue in the country. Concrete rules and regulations must be observed to accept them at this rate,' he said, while admitting that there was a shortage of workers in Japan's construction industry.
The industry is largely responsible for the rebuilding of the Tohoku region, following the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami, as well as preparing for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. (dyl/ebf)
