(Press Release)
April 3, 2024
Japan Ministry of Defense
On April 3, 2024, commencing at 10:28 for approximately 50 minutes, Defense Minister KIHARA held a meeting with Minister of Defence/President-elect of the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Gen (ret.) Prabowo Subianto.
The summary of the meeting is as follows:
- At the outset of the meeting, Minister Kihara extended his warmest welcome to Minister Prabowo to Japan and congratulated H.E. on the victory in the presidential election, which took place in February this year.
- The two Ministers welcomed that the bilateral relationship was elevated to “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” last year. They discussed their bilateral and multilateral defense cooperation and exchanges, including training/exercises and the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus, and concurred to further enhance defense cooperation and exchanges.
- The two Ministers also exchanges views on regional security issues, in which Minister Kihara reiterated his opposition to any unilateral change of status quo by force as well as any actions that increase tensions in the South China Sea.
- Minister Kihara also stated that he wants to maintain and enhance a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” based on the rule of law together with Indonesia, as both the countries are maritime nations.
