Japan and Indonesia to boost energy security cooperation

Japan and resource-rich Indonesia agreed Tuesday to deepen economic ties and cooperation in energy security as the two Asian countries face growing uncertainty over oil and gas supplies prompted by the war in the Middle East. “In the wake of the Iran situation, the importance of resources and energy security is being recognized globally,” said Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in a joint news conference after holding talks with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Tokyo. Under the memorandum signed on March 15, the two sides will cooperate in building a new nuclear power plant, possibly in Indonesia’s West Kalimantan, using Japanese expertise, with potential funding by development banks, according to a document released by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.