TOKYO – Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is arranging a summit meeting with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Tokyo at the end of March, government sources said Wednesday.
As China seeks to strengthen its influence on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Japan aims to reaffirm its solidarity in promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific with Indonesia, which is located at a strategically important point along sea lanes.
According to the sources, Prabowo is considering staying for two days from March 30 in his first visit to Japan since taking office in October 2024.
His foreign minister Sugiono said Tuesday, a day after holding phone talks with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, that Indonesia is prepared to mediate the escalating U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran.
Takaichi has said she plans to update the FOIP initiative as a pillar of Japan’s diplomacy. To realize FOIP, proposed in 2016 by then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Takaichi places high priority on relations with ASEAN member states.
Indonesia is a recipient of Japan’s official security assistance program, through which Tokyo provides defense equipment to like-minded countries.
Japan and Indonesia have been promoting cooperation in the field of maritime security. In January 2025, Japan agreed to provide high-speed patrol boats to Indonesia.
In addition to security cooperation, the two leaders are expected to exchange views on economic matters such as strengthening supply chains of critical goods.
AloJapan.com