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Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga landed in Indonesia on Tuesday (10/20/2020). This is his first trip after becoming the prime minister of Japan last month.
Suga and the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (Jokowi), discussed various issues at a meeting at Bogor Palace. Even ASEAN Covid-19 Response Fund Y travel corridor arrangement for business.
Before leaving for Jakarta, Suga first came to Vietnam. Not only trade agreements were made, but also military ones.
So why were Indonesia and Vietnam chosen to visit first?
Quoted from Reuters, the choice of the two countries is none other than the South China Sea. Suga’s special adviser, former diplomat Kunihiko Miyake, had this to say.
“I think it is important to show … we put more emphasis and importance on the region and we are interested in the security situation, especially in the South China Sea,” he said.
In fact, the United States has become Japan’s “priority” friend. But currently with the crown high, the United States is not the right choice either.
Furthermore, Vietnam is currently the president of ASEAN. Not to mention that Indonesia is included in the G20.
Meanwhile, an observer from the Singapore-based ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, Ha Hoang Hop, said defense was the key to the tour. “Increased defense cooperation will be a ‘key point’,” he stressed.
Suga’s trip followed Japan’s meeting with the QUAD countries, which consisted of the United States, India, and Australia. This group previously denounced the ‘hegemony’ of China in Asia and on average had problems with China.
Vietnam, Hop said, may have joined this group because of problems related to Paracels Island in the South China Sea (SCS) with China. Meanwhile, Indonesia may adopt a neutral position although it remains vigilant because China often enters the Natuna region.
Suga’s visit also coincided with Japan’s efforts to diversify its supply chain and reduce dependence on China. Japan will move its manufacturing activities and place more in Southeast Asia.
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