Japan and Indonesia Ready to Collaborate on Mitigating the Impact of Middle East Conflict

Tokyo (ANTARA) - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto agreed to tighten coordination in handling the situation in the Middle East, where the ongoing war has triggered concerns over energy supplies and driven up oil prices.

In a joint press conference following talks in Tokyo on Tuesday, Takaichi said she and Prabowo also agreed to promote concrete cooperation between the two countries in the economic and security sectors, as Tokyo aims to strengthen ties with the Southeast Asian nation while considering China.

In their first face-to-face meeting since Takaichi assumed the role of Prime Minister in October 2025, she stated that Japan would assist Indonesia in developing human resources related to artificial intelligence (AI) and enhancing maritime security capabilities.

Meanwhile, Indonesia’s eighth President Prabowo Subianto described the bilateral relations between Indonesia and Japan as an exemplary model for other countries.

Prabowo also said that Indonesia and Japan must walk together in the current international situation, which he described as full of dangers.

He also expressed his desire to contribute to de-escalating the conflict, which appears to relate to the current conditions in the Middle East.

Japan and Indonesia have strengthened their defence cooperation in recent years through Japan’s Official Security Assistance framework, under which Japan provides defence equipment to like-minded countries, as well as through joint exercises between their forces.

Japan sources almost all of its crude oil from abroad and relies on the Middle East for more than 90 per cent of its crude oil imports; while Indonesia depends on the region for around 20 to 25 per cent of its oil procurement.

Prabowo, who arrived in Tokyo on Sunday (29/3) for a three-day visit, met with Emperor Naruhito and his younger brother, Crown Prince Fumihito, on Monday (30/3).