By: M.Dinata *)
Indonesian President Mr. Joko Widodo (Jokowi) will visit Japan next week in order to sign a defense treaty between Indonesia and Japan. This defense treaty for Japan is a new step to get closer to South East Asia country in defensive partnership and balance China influence in South East Asia. Japan and China have a conflict over the Senkaku Island in the East China Sea.
The contract that will be signed by Mr. Jokowi and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, will increase the partnership in military training and technology. Currently, the two countries only have an agreement for the exchange of military students.
This treaty will be very important for Indonesia in order to increase national security and military technology. Japanese defense ministry official said, cooperation with Indonesia is the first step to tighten up the defence cooperation and give its a better chance to compete with South Korea in producing military equipment, who already has its stands in Asia. The cooperation also part of Mr. Abe intention to amend Japan’s pacifist post-war constitution, which restrict Japan’s military development.
In Japan and China conflict, Indonesia, as the biggest country in South East Asia, put itself in the middle of conflict to mediate any conflicts happen in the South China Sea. In this case, Japan is worried if China take control of Senkaku Island, their sea lanes will be isolated, because Senkaku Island is the main trade line for Japan’s ship.
*) The Author is Brunei Darussalam’s Contributor.