Indonesia and Japan promise deeper defense and economic ties as regional tensions spike

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, right, and Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba attend a joint press conference after their meeting at Bogor Presidential Palace in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. - Photo: AP

BOGOR, Indonesia (AP): Japan and Indonesia pledged have pledged to deepen economic and defense ties during a visit by the Japanese prime minister, seen as promoting regional cooperation as China flexes its muscle and Donald Trump prepares to take over as the next US president.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba arrived in Jakarta on Friday from Kuala Lumpur after meeting Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.