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Japan seeks Jokowi's help on disputed waters issue
Getting closer: Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa (left) and his Japanese counterpart, Fumio Kishida, brief journalists at the Pancasila building at the Foreign Affairs Ministry complex on Tuesday
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span class="inline inline-center">Getting closer: Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa (left) and his Japanese counterpart, Fumio Kishida, brief journalists at the Pancasila building at the Foreign Affairs Ministry complex on Tuesday. Kishida's visit is aimed at strengthening relations between the two countries in various fields. JP/Don
Even though the presidential election result is still being disputed in court, Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida held talks with president-elect and Jakarta Governor Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo in Jakarta on Tuesday, highlighting cooperation between Japan and Indonesia in the future, especially in the maritime, security and economic sectors.
Jokowi, in his first real international talks on regional maritime and security issues, ensured Kishida that he, as the president, would continue to push forward peaceful solutions regarding territorial disputes in the South China Sea and East China Sea.
'In principle, during the meeting, we discussed ways to strengthen relations and cooperation between the two countries in the future. [Kishida] expects to strengthen relations with Indonesia, particularly on maritime supremacy, because Indonesia and Japan face similar issues,' Jokowi told reporters after the one-hour meeting with the Japanese minister at Jakarta City Hall.
Previously, Jokowi also ensured that he would maintain Indonesia's mediatory roles when it came to sea-related issues.
'We're hoping for diplomatic solutions and, if necessary, Indonesia stands ready to play an intermediary role,' Jokowi said, according to the an interview with Asahi as quoted by AFP.
China's border issue with Japan was recently ignited by Beijing's unilateral move to impose the Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) in the East China Sea.
In the South China Sea, China has overlapping claims with four ASEAN countries, including the Philippines and Vietnam, with whom Beijing has had several tense encounters with in the area in recent months.
'I refuse to accept a military solution,' Jokowi added.
Jokowi's meeting with Kishida could be seen as his first international test on the 'Indonesia's maritime axis' concept he repeatedly conveyed during his presidential campaign.
It was his second meeting with a foreign minister since being declared the winner of the July 9 presidential election by the General Elections Commission (KPU).
Earlier this month, he met with Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird at City Hall.
After meeting with the president-elect, Kishida had bilateral talks with Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa at the latter's office.
After the talks, the two ministers also announced a plan to implement a 'free visa' policy for citizens of both nations that was expected to take effect in January 2015.
Indonesians who hold electronic passports are expected to be exempt from the requirement of obtaining a Japanese visa when visiting Japan for less than 15 days.
According to Japanese Foreign Ministry official Koichi Mizushima, the two governments are currently still in the process of passing the visa waiver policy.
'The policy has already been announced by the Japanese government. The procedures are currently being worked out,' Mizushima told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday. He explained that the policy was part of the Japanese government's attempt to lure more visitors from the ASEAN region.
'Last year, a total of 10 million tourists visited Japan. This year, we aim to double it to 20 million. Hopefully if the waiver policy passes before year- end, we will be able to achieve that target,' Mizushima added.
Minister Marty said that he and Kishida discussed numerous bilateral, regional and global issues, including the territorial disputes in the East China Sea and South China Sea, as well as security in the Middle East.
'When it comes to preserving international peace in the region, Indonesia and Japan have been maintaining strong cooperation. Indonesia has always been supportive of Japan in its active efforts to seek peace in the region,' Marty said in a joint conference with his Japanese counterpart after the meeting.
Kishida concurred, saying that the two had also discussed economic assistance to Palestine and the idea to push forward a reform for the UN Security Council during UN's 70th anniversary, next year. (dyl)
