In Front of Defence Minister Shinjiro, Sjafrie References the Japanese-Trained PETA Army

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin referenced the history of the Homeland Defenders’ Army (PETA) during a joint statement with Japanese Defence Minister Koizumi Shinjiro on Monday (4/5/2026).

The statement was delivered before the two held a bilateral meeting and signed a defence cooperation agreement between Indonesia and Japan at the Ministry of Defence in Central Jakarta.

“As is well known, the relationship between Indonesia and Japan for us already constitutes a historical background that was carried out before the independence of the Unitary Republic of Indonesia in 1945,” said Sjafrie at the Indonesian Ministry of Defence in Central Jakarta on Monday (4/5/2026).

On that occasion, Sjafrie also stated that today’s meeting was the first Indonesia-Japan Defence Ministers’ Meeting in 2026.

The meeting, he said, is based on principles of mutual respect and mutual benefit for both countries.

He explained that both sides will exchange constructive views on defence development, while strengthening cooperation in the fields of humanitarian affairs and disaster management.

“Today, we will sign the Defence Cooperation Agreement between the Indonesian Ministry of Defence and the Japanese Ministry of Defence as one of the instruments to strengthen the framework of cooperation in defence activities between the two countries,” he emphasised.

He also mentioned that since the meeting in Bali up to Jakarta, both sides have discussed regional strategic developments.

In those discussions, Indonesia and Japan affirmed the importance of mutual respect for each country’s national interests and constitutions.

For information, as of 12.40 WIB, the bilateral meeting between Indonesia and Japan was still ongoing.

The meeting began at 11.38 WIB.