By AFP and Focus | 2026-05-14

JAKARTA -- Japan and Indonesia have signed a defense cooperation agreement expanding military ties and opening the door to possible transfers of Japanese defense equipment to Southeast Asia's largest economy.

Officials signed the pact in Jakarta May 4 during Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi's visit, weeks after Tokyo eased decades-old restrictions on arms exports and allowed Japanese firms to sell lethal weapons to countries with defense agreements.

Koizumi said the two countries were "both maritime nations and share the same values," adding that the partnership would "contribute to defense and peace, not just in our countries, but the region as a whole."

Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said the two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in defense industry development and personnel exchanges.

"We have both agreed to promote substantive cooperation in the defense industry and development of our personnel, whilst taking into account our respective national interests," he said before the signing ceremony.

The pact includes cooperation in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, joint military exercises and maritime security, according to Indonesian Defense Ministry spokesman Rico Ricardo Sirait. The agreement "opens up opportunities for cooperation in defense equipment and technology" while prioritizing regional stability, he added.

Arms exports

The agreement comes shortly after Japan revised a key pillar of its postwar security policy by loosening long-standing restrictions on weapon exports. The change allows Tokyo to transfer five categories of lethal defense equipment to countries that maintain defense equipment and technology agreements with Japan.

The policy shift positions Japan to become a more active defense industry player in Southeast Asia, where countries including Indonesia and the Philippines have sought greater maritime and deterrence capabilities amid growing regional tensions.

Jakarta and Tokyo agreed to establish a working-level group to advance cooperation on possible defense equipment purchases. The two governments are expected to create an Integrated Defense Dialogue Mechanism that will institutionalize regular talks between senior civilian defense officials and military officers.

Within the framework, officials at vice-minister level will discuss defense policy while chiefs of staff and operational commanders focus on military coordination and unit-level cooperation.

"Cooperation with Indonesia -- which has significant influence and responsibility in terms of stability in its region -- is growing all the more critical as international tensions rise," Koizumi said, according to Nikkei Asia.

Indonesia has emerged as a potential buyer of Japanese defense equipment as President Prabowo Subianto pushes to modernize the country's aging military assets. Jakarta has earmarked 337 trillion IDR ($19.4 billion) for defense modernization in 2026, including upgrades to fighter aircraft and naval capabilities.

Japanese defense equipment could become increasingly attractive to Jakarta as Indonesia diversifies its security partnerships while maintaining its long-standing "free and active" foreign policy doctrine.

Maritime security

The growing cooperation reflects the strategic importance of Indonesia's maritime geography. Indonesia bestrides the Malacca Strait, one of the world's busiest shipping lanes and a critical route for China-bound energy imports.

Japan has built security ties across Southeast Asia as concerns rise over maritime tensions and the protection of regional sea lanes. Tokyo has framed its expanding defense cooperation as support for "like-minded" partners seeking to preserve regional stability and freedom of navigation.

Indonesia, meanwhile, has recently strengthened defense ties with several major powers. Jakarta signed a defense cooperation agreement with the United States in April, bolstered security cooperation with France and continued outreach to other partners while preserving its nonaligned diplomatic posture.