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Jokowi, Kishida talk security, trade and investment
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced that Japan would participate in the Super Garuda Shield joint military exercises cohosted by Indonesia and the United States, amid concerns about China's growing assertiveness.
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President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo (left) and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida shake hands as they conclude a joint news conference at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo on July 27. (AFP/Kiyoshi Ota)
O
n the second stop of his East Asian tour, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo met with Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio to discuss trade, investment, labor and security cooperation as the two countries commemorate 65 years of diplomatic ties.
Jokowi arrived in Tokyo early on Wednesday morning accompanied by First Lady Iriana and several ministers. They had flown from Beijing the night before.
In broadcast remarks on Wednesday, Kishida said the two leaders had discussed developments in the Indo-Pacific and “concrete cooperation” to actualize the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. The prime minister added that the two had “agreed to work closely together in every sector”, including on security matters.
“Japan will support the further enhancement of maritime security capabilities, including the ongoing research on patrol boat grant cooperation. We also welcome the signing of the memorandum of cooperation in the field of maritime security,” Kishida said.
“Then, next month, the Japanese army will be participating for the first time in the Garuda Shield multilateral exercise held in Indonesia. We hope the bilateral cooperation in security for defense will further develop.”
Super Garuda Shield is a regular joint military exercise involving the United States and Indonesia that was first held in 2009 to enhance the land-based combat ability of both militaries. It has since expanded to include other military functions and other nations.
This year, Australia, Singapore and Japan will be actively participating in the two-week-long training program as another eight countries are expected to join as observers.
