Indonesia and Japan signed a defence cooperation agreement in Jakarta on May 4 to strengthen ties in the defence industry, personnel development and disaster mitigation. The pact, signed by Ministers Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and Shinjiro Koizumi, follows Japan's recent decision to lift its ban on overseas arms sales. Officials said the deal will deepen practical cooperation on maritime security, joint exercises and defence technology while contributing to regional peace and stability.
Indonesia and Japan Sign Defence Cooperation Pact in Jakarta — A Milestone for Regional Security
Japan's Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi with Indonesia's Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin inspects the honour guards during a welcome ceremony in Jakarta, Indonesia, May 4, 2026. REUTERS/Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana
JAKARTA, May 4 — Indonesia and Japan signed a defence cooperation agreement on Monday that formalises collaboration in the defence industry, human-capacity development and disaster mitigation, officials said.
What the Agreement Covers
- Signed in Jakarta by Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and Japan's Shinjiro Koizumi.
- Scope includes defence-industry cooperation, personnel development and disaster-response measures.
- Ministers also discussed maritime security, joint military exercises, military hardware and defence technology.
'We have both agreed to promote substantive cooperation in the defence industry and development of our personnel, whilst taking into account our respective national interests,'Sjafrie said in an audio recording shared by the Indonesian Defence Ministry.
'Koizumi described the agreement as a "compass" and a "crucial milestone" that will guide defence cooperation between the two countries,'a translation of Koizumi's remarks said. He added that deeper ties would contribute to peace and stability amid complex international tensions.
Context
The pact comes after Japan last month removed a long-standing ban on overseas arms sales as Tokyo seeks to strengthen its defence industry. Officials did not provide a detailed list of specific projects or hardware, saying exact areas of cooperation will be worked out through follow-up consultations.
Why It Matters
Indonesian and Japanese officials said the agreement aims to deepen practical defence cooperation while respecting each country's national interests. They highlighted potential benefits for maritime security, regional stability and improved disaster-mitigation capabilities.
Reporting by Ananda Teresia; Editing by John Mair.
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