Indonesia, Japan to enhance cooperation in resilient supply chains of energy resources

ISTANBUL

Japan and Indonesia on Tuesday agreed to enhance cooperation in resilient energy supply chains, including liquefied natural gas, as well as disaster prevention, according to Japanese media.

This came as Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto held talks in the Japanese capital Tokyo, focusing on economic and security cooperation, Kyodo News reported.

Takaichi said the two leaders also affirmed their countries’ close alignment in addressing the situation in the Middle East during a joint news conference after the talks, the report noted.

Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global trade and energy, has been heavily disrupted since the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran on Feb. 28, prompting Tehran to retaliate with strikes on US-linked bases in at least six Gulf nations.

The disruption has caused massive uncertainty about securing oil supplies in Asia.

The Japanese prime minister said Tokyo will support Jakarta in developing artificial intelligence-related human resources and strengthening the capabilities of the Indonesian Navy and Coast Guard, the report added.

"Japan and Indonesia are comprehensive and strategic partners that have built a longstanding friendly relationship," Takaichi said, as Prabowo called bilateral ties an "exemplary" model for other countries.

Prabowo also said Indonesia and Japan should "walk together" in the current international situation, which he described as "fraught with dangers," according to the Kyodo News report.

The two governments will work together in utilizing geothermal heat and waste for power generation, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said, the report added.