Japan Keen to Enhance Political, Security Cooperation with Indonesia

Economic ties

In the area of economic cooperation, the envoy said there has been a lot of positive development since the visit made by President Joko Widodo to Japan in July this year.

“Japan is very determined to invest more in the development of Patimban Port auto terminal and container terminal,” Kanasugi said, referring to the seaport in West Java located some 140 kilometers east of the Indonesian capital of Jakarta.

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"Japan is more than happy to cooperate with Indonesia in the infrastructure development and direct foreign investment from Japan to Indonesia."

The media reported the Patimban seaport, which needs a total investment of 43.2 trillion rupiahs ($2.8 billion), is also known as one of Indonesia’s priority infrastructure projects to boost the economy and reduce Jakarta’s congested Tanjung Priok port.

Kompas.com reported that President Joko Widodo told Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo that Indonesia will speed up several Japan-backed projects in the country.

The projects include the second phase of the Jakarta mass rapid transit (MRT) system project of the north-south, the first project of the east-west line, an industrial estate in West Papua, and expansion of the Patimban seaport and its toll roads access.

The Indonesian President underscored the importance of Japan’s continued support in the technology field to develop several strategic projects in the country, including the natural commodity downstream, electric vehicles, and the health and food sector. 

Japan and Indonesia have a long history of cooperation since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1958.