inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto agreed to strengthen alignment in addressing the situation in the Middle East, where ongoing wars have fueled energy supply concerns and driven up oil prices.

In a joint press conference following talks in Tokyo on Tuesday (3/31/2026), Takaichi said she and Prabowo also agreed to promote concrete cooperation between the two countries in the economic and security fields, as Tokyo aims to strengthen ties with the Southeast Asian nation in light of China.

In their first face-to-face meeting since Takaichi took office as prime minister in October 2025, she said Japan would help Indonesia develop human resources related to artificial intelligence (AI) and enhance maritime security capabilities.

"Japan and Indonesia are comprehensive and strategic partners who have built a long-standing friendship," said Takaichi.

Meanwhile, the 8th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, called the bilateral relationship between Indonesia and Japan a model for other countries.

Prabowo also stated that Indonesia and Japan must work together in the current international situation, which he considered fraught with danger.

He also expressed his desire to contribute to the de-escalation of conflicts, which appear to be related to the current situation in the Middle East.

Japan considers cooperation with Indonesia crucial to realizing a "free and open" Indo-Pacific, a vision Tokyo supports to counter China's growing military and economic influence in the region.

Japan and Indonesia have strengthened their defense cooperation in recent years through Japan's "official security assistance" framework, under which Japan provides defense equipment to like-minded countries, and through joint exercises between their forces.

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