Nani Afrida, Jakarta – The Indonesian Military (TNI) and its Japanese counterpart plan to intensify cooperation, given that both countries have vast maritime territories and are vulnerable to disasters.
"In the future TNI will cooperate and boost cooperation in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief with Japan," TNI chief General Gatot Nurmantyo said in Jakarta as he met with Admiral Katsutoshi Kawano, the Japan Self-Defense Forces (SDF) chief of Joint Staff in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Gatot said Indonesia and Japan had been cooperating in defense affairs for quite a long time, especially in education and humanitarian assistance.
Since 1998, for instance, Indonesia had assigned military officers and cadets to study at the Japan National Defense University (Boeidagaku).
Meanwhile, Admiral Katsutoshi Kawano said maritime cooperation was very important for Japan, especially cooperation with ASEAN countries.
"I expect growing cooperation in humanitarian and education affairs with Indonesia as a maritime country and the biggest country in ASEAN," Kawano said. (dmr)
Joint Staff of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (SDF) chief Adm. Katsutoshi Kawano and Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo inspect the troops in a ceremony in Jakarta on Dec. 1. Indonesia and Japan will up their military cooperation in many areas, especially in maritime affairs and disaster relief.(Puspen TNI/File)