Indonesia, Japan Sign Defense Pact After Tokyo Unlocks Arms Exports

Indonesia’s Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin (L) and Japan’s Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (R) inspect honor guards during a welcome ceremony at the Defense Ministry office in Jakarta on May 4, 2026. (Photo by BAY ISMOYO / AFP)

The defense ministers of Indonesia and Japan signed a cooperation agreement on Monday, Jakarta said, underlining the need to safeguard regional peace and stability in the face of global tumult.

The signing during Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi’s visit to Indonesia came after Tokyo had eased decades-old arms export rules last month, allowing firms to sell lethal weapons to countries with which Japan has defense agreements.

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by Agence France-Presse

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