On  the  occasion of the visit  of Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Lt. Gen.  (retired) Luhut B. Pandjaitan to Japan from  12th to 13rd December 2017,  H.E.  Mr. Kazuyuki Nakane, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of  Japan met   with Minister Luhut  on  13th   December. Both   Ministers held   the Japan-Indonesia Maritime Forum as follows.

1. The Japanese government referred to its “Free and  Open  Indo-Pacific Strategy,” and  the  Indonesian government referred to its “Global  Maritime Fulcrum” vision. As two  major maritime countries whose  national interests span the  Indian and Pacific   Oceans, the   two  Governments recognized that  there  were   important commonalities between their  respective policies, such  as  developing maritime infrastructure and  connectivity, strengthening maritime security and  safety, and the  importance they attach to a free  and  open  maritime order based on the  rule of law.  Therefore, the  two  Governments concurred that it is  natural that they would  explore the  possibility of synergizing their respective policies  and  further enhance maritime cooperation through, for instance, this Forum based on these respective  policies   and   the   principle  of  equality, mutual  benefit, as  well  as mutual trust and  their desire to  maintain stability, security and  peace  in  the region.
2. The Ministers, recalling the  successful Japan-Indonesia summit meeting on the occasion of ASEAN  Summit, discussed concrete projects for  cooperation in  the maritime field.  In  addition, the  Ministers took  the  opportunity of this Maritime Forum to discuss cooperation projects in other fields  as well.  As a result of their discussion, the Ministers shared the  recognition on progress of Japan-Indonesia bilateral cooperation and  committed to further efforts in areas such  as  Security and   Safety in  the   Maritime  Field, Remote-Islands Development, Energy and Electricity, Infrastructure and  Connectivity, and  Vocational Training, including as  below  as  well  as  international  cooperation among archipelagic and   island states.
3. Noting that the  year 2018   marks the   60th   anniversary  of  Japan-Indonesia diplomatic relations,  the   Ministers  are  committed to  cooperating  closely   to

(1) Security and  Safety in the  Maritime Field

1. The two Governments shared the  view that the South China Sea  holds  vital sea lanes of communication for global  economic activity and  viability. In this regard, both  Governments stressed the  importance of promoting maritime security and safety,  freedom of  navigation and   overflight  and   unimpeded  commerce and peaceful  resolution   of   disputes  in   full   compliance  with  the   universally recognized principles of international law including the  1982 UN Convention on the  Law  of the  Sea  (UNCLOS). The  two Governments welcomed the  progress of ongoing negotiations for the  Code of Conduct (COC) in the  South China Sea  and stressed the  importance of an  early conclusion of an  effective  The  two Governments emphasized the   importance of  non-militarization in  the   South China Sea.
2.  Based on the  basic  framework of JICA/JCG (Japan Coast Guard) – BAKAMLA (Indonesian Maritime Security Agency) cooperation, signed on 17th October 2017, the   two   Governments  are  committed to   starting  the   cooperation  for   the maritime security and  safety from Japanese fiscal  year (JFY)  2018  to JFY2020.

(2) Archipelagic and  Island State

1. Indonesia and   Japan  recognizes the   common  challenges  and   threats  that archipelagic and  island nations face  in relation to sustainable development and climate change.
2. Indonesia  and    Japan  see   the    importance  of  concrete  cooperation  among archipelagic and  island nation to  resolve the  shared chall Indonesia will organize a  conference at ministerial level  to  establish Archipelagic and  Island State  Forum. Japan  welcomes Indonesian efforts to  address these issues and seriously considers how to support this Indonesian initiative.

(3) Vocational Training The  two  Governments  welcomed a  new  Gadjah Mada University loan  project signed  last  November, which includes  the  improvement  of  the   educational environment  via   construction  of  vocational  training   facilities,  where  8000 students  will   receive  vocational  education  and    training  in   an    adequate environment. They  also recognized the  possibility of promoting educational cooperation with  other  higher  education  institution.  The   aim   of  bilateral cooperation  in   this  area  is   to   advance  human  resource  development  and contribute to industrial development in Indonesia. (4)         Economic Development including Infrastructure  and   Connectivity in  the Maritime Field 1) Energy & Electricity

1. Japan and Indonesia would  accelerate their joint efforts to implement the  LNG Distribution and   Power Plants  in  Eastern  Indonesia. Both  Governments also committed to working together for realization of the  project and  the  preparation for  the   1st  WG  to  discuss the project details including laws   and   regulations, which will be held  at the  earliest timing.
2. The   two   Governments  exchanged  views    and    affirmed  importance  of   the cooperation for the  development of offshore oil and  gas  fields  including projects in the  Indonesian continental shelf,  which is crucial for stable energy supply for Japan and  the  economic development of Indonesia.
3. The  two   Governments shared  the   recognition  on  the   importance  of  private sector’s role in  electric power  development and  the  necessity to ensure stable investment environment including the  need  to address the  electricity tariff iss
4.  Japan and Indonesia would  work  together for further progress of projects such  as Java-Sumatra Interconnection Transmission Line  Project etc.
5.  The  two    Governments   recognized  the    success   of   the    Indonesia–Japan Waste-to-Energy Study Tour  from  27th November to 1st December 2017  based on  Comprehensive Cooperation Program  on  Introduction  of  Waste-to-Energy Technology to Indonesia. They  also  reconfirmed their commitment to the  success of   the    second  meeting   of   Indonesia-Japan   Joint  Meeting  Committee  on Waste-to-Energy  Development,  which  will   be  held   either  in   January  or  in February 2018 in Jakarta.

2) Infrastructure

1. Patimban Port Project: The two  Governments reconfirmed the  commitment of their  leaders to  ensure  this  port to  be  operated  jointly by  Indonesian  and Japanese  companies. The  Government of Indonesia stated that  the   selection process of its operators would  be  immediately established along  their leaders’ commitment  in   order  to   avoid    delays  in   the    construction  schedul  The Government of Japan appreciated the  efforts by Indonesia.
2. MRT Project: The  two  Governments appreciated the  progress made thus far  in the  MRT  project and  strongly encouraged its implementing agencies to  ensure the  safe  and  speedy construction  of the  MRT,  especially its first phase of the North-South  Li   The   two   Governments reaffirmed their  intention  to  the development of the  MRT network including the  North-South Line  extension and the  East-West Line  development, according to the Joint Statement.
3. Java Northern Line Upgrading (Jakarta-Surabaya  Express  Railway) Project: The  two  Governments appreciated the  contribution of BPPT and  JICA team to the  Pre-Feasibility Study for this projec They  welcomed the  successful seminar held  by Ministry of Transportation at Gadjah Mada University on 7th December 2017. They are also committed to further acceleration of this project.
4. Trans-Sumatra Toll Road: Both  Ministers recognized that the two Governments would  facilitate the  cooperation on the  Trans-Sumatra Toll  Road  in  accordance with the   Japan-Indonesia summit meeting dated on  12th  November 2017  in Manila.
5. Jakarta Sewerage: Both Ministers also recognized that the two  Governments would work together for the  swift  implementation of the  Jakarta Sewerage Project Zone 1 and  Zone 6 in accordance with the  above-mentioned summit meeting.

3) Remote-Islands Development

1. Tourism: The two Governments shared the  importance of encouraging two-way visits  between  Indonesia  and   Japan  to  enhance  economic development  and deepen mutual  understanding  of  both   nations. The  Government of  Indonesia pointed out that the  increase of Japanese tourists to Indonesian outer islands was also   highly important.  For   this  purpose, they  decided to  co-host  the   ASEM Symposium on Promoting Tourism in Jakarta in early next year.
2. Fisheries: The two  Governments shared the  view  that the  grant for  fisheries sector in outer islands should be steadily implemented and  committed to further facilitation  of   the    other  projects  of   the  policy   package  for   outer  island development  such   as   provision  of  radar  system,  patrol  vessels  and   space technology in accordance with the  Indonesia-Japan Joint Press Release dated on 6th September 2017.

4) Other issue: IMF-WB  annual   meetings:   Both    Governments  shared   the    importance  of IMF-World Bank annual meetings to be hosted by the  Government of Indonesia in Bali  year 2018.  The  Government of Japan expressed its willingness to support Indonesia for  the  success of this meeting in  close  collaboration with JICA and JBIC. The Government of Indonesia welcomed Japan’s support. In   addition  to   the   Maritime  Forum,  the  two   Ministers  also   discussed other important economic  issues such  as

1. EV: The   Government  of  Indonesia explained its  new   initiative about EV  in Indonesia. The  Government of Japan explained that it had  already assisted the promotion of Next Generation  Eco-Friendly Vehicles in  Indonesia by providing grant for this purpose and  expressed its desire to seek  the  possibility to promote bilateral cooperation along  its initiative.
2. Indonesia-Japan   Public  Private   Dialogue:  The   two   Governments  strongly welcomed  the   success  of  Indonesia-Japan   Public  Private  Dialogue  on   6th December 2017,  hosted by the  Jakarta Japan Club,  an  association of Japanese companies and  residents with Minister Luhut for business environment impr  They   confirmed  to   follow-up   the   issues  raised  by   Japanese companies such  as the negative list,  import regulation, electricity, MRT, taxation and  visa  issues. The second dialogue will be hosted by Minister Luhut next year.

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