Asia Defense | Security | Southeast Asia

Indonesia, Japan Sign New Defense Agreement, Eye Possible Arms Transfers

With the recent removal of its longstanding ban on lethal arms exports, Tokyo is set to become an active defense industry player in Southeast Asia.

Japanese Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro (left) meets with Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin after signing a new defense agreement in Jakarta, Indonesia, May 4, 2026.

Indonesia and Japan yesterday signed a defense cooperation agreement intended to advance collaboration in joint exercises and defense industrial development, opening the prospect of Indonesian purchases of Japanese military equipment.

The agreement was signed by Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and his Japanese counterpart Koizumi Shinjiro in Jakarta, with both hailing it as a milestone in bilateral relations.

“We ​have both agreed to promote substantive cooperation in ⁠the defense industry and development of our ​personnel, whilst taking into account our respective national interests,” ​Sjafrie said before the signing ceremony, according to Reuters.

Koizumi said that the two nations were “both maritime nations and share the same values,” adding that their cooperation will “contribute to defense and peace, not just in our countries, but the region as a whole.”

“Cooperation with Indonesia, which has significant influence and responsibility in terms of stability in its region, is growing all the more critical as international tensions rise,” he said, as per Nikkei Asia.

Koizumi added that the ministers also held a bilateral meeting ​where they discussed joint military exercises, ​further collaboration on ⁠maritime security, and military hardware and defense technology.

The text of the agreement has not been made public, with Koizumi stating in a post on X that “it’s frustrating that I can’t go into details.” However, the two ministers said the deal will see the tnations establish a framework for dialogue known as the Integrated Defense Dialogue Mechanism. This will institutionalize regular discussions between vice minister-level officials and military officers from both sides. Jakarta and Tokyo have also agreed to form a working-level group to enhance cooperation on possible defense equipment........

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