Following a summit meeting in Tokyo, Kishida said at a joint press conference with Jokowi, that they reaffirmed cooperation in realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific, with Japan vowing to strengthen maritime security in the region in response to China's assertive posture and military buildup.
President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo told Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday that his country has lifted all restrictions on imports of Japanese food products that were imposed in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear crisis in 2011, the Japanese leader said.
Following a summit meeting in Tokyo, Kishida said at a joint press conference with Jokowi, that they reaffirmed cooperation in realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific, with Japan vowing to strengthen maritime security in the region in response to China's assertive posture and military buildup.
"I hope bilateral security cooperation, including defense exchanges, will further advance," said Kishida, noting Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force is scheduled to join a multinational joint exercise in Indonesia in August for the first time.
Kishida said he conveyed Japan's intent to provide about 43.6 billion yen ($318 million) in loans to complete a hydroelectric plant in Indonesia while he welcomed the country's lifting of import restrictions on food products from seven Japanese prefectures saying "it encourages people in the disaster-hit areas."
Jokowi said he asked Japan to reduce or abolish tariffs it imposes on some Indonesian products, including tuna, pineapple and bananas, and to provide market access for mangoes.
The president also conveyed his condolences over the death of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was fatally shot earlier this month, saying Kishida's predecessor helped elevate bilateral relations to a strategic partnership.
As the president will chair this year's summit of the Group of 20 major economies in Bali in November, Kishida and Jokowi agreed to work closely to ensure its success.
Indonesia has invited both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the G-20 summit amid Russia's war in Ukraine.
Jokowi is on the second leg of a three-nation tour that has taken him to China. He is scheduled to travel to South Korea later Wednesday. Japan, China and South Korea are among the G-20 members.
Kishida and Jokowi affirmed that the sovereignty of a state must be protected and all countries must abide by international law, with the Japanese leader expressing opposition to unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force in the East and South China seas.
Jokowi's visit comes ahead of the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Indonesia next year, while the year also marks the 50th anniversary of friendship between Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
In recent years, Japan and Indonesia have been boosting cooperation in security, with the Japanese ground force's participation in the upcoming Garuda Shield joint military exercise being the latest example.
Indonesia and the United States have also invited other nations, including Australia and Singapore, to take part in their annual drill as China's growing military assertiveness raises security concerns in the Indo-Pacific region.
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