【Report】Seminar on the 65th Anniversary of Indonesia-Japan Diplomatic Relations: Indonesia-Japan Cooperation in Promoting Peace and Security

On June 15, 2023, a seminar on cooperation between Japan and Indonesia in promoting peace and security was held at Ritsumeikan University. It was co-hosted by Ritsumeikan University, the Institute of International Relations and Area Studies, the Indonesian Embassy in Japan, and the Consulate General of Indonesia in Osaka.

The Seminar opened with a video-recorded remark by the Indonesian Ambassador to Japan, Heri Akhmadi. He emphasized that cooperation between Japan and Indonesia is not confined to social and economic realms; the two countries also work together to promote peace and security. He mentioned that they should continue cooperating on many global and regional security issues, such as those in the South China Sea and Myanmar. Following the remark, the seminar played a video clip symbolizing growing ties between Jakarta and Tokyo since establishing diplomatic relations in 1958.

After the video clip, three panelists gave presentations on Japan-Indonesia relations from a perspective of peace and security. Diana ES Sutikno, Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Osaka, gave a presentation on cooperation between Japan and Indonesia on peacebuilding. She provided an excellent overview of the concept of “peacebuilding” and argued that together the two Asian countries could effectively contribute to peacebuilding by increasing the institutional capacities of conflict-affected countries.

Prof. Jun Honna of Ritsumeikan University explained Japan’s approach to addressing non-traditional maritime security threats in Southeast Asia and Japan’s support for capacity-building and human resource development for the Indonesian Coast Guard. He argued that Jakarta is central to Japan’s approach to maritime security in Southeast Asia because Indonesia displays crucial leadership in ASEAN, and both countries share similar maritime security doctrines and commit to the same democratic norms regarding maritime security.

Finally, Dr. Lina Alexandra of the Center for Strategic and International Studies argued that Japan and Indonesia should strengthen their cooperation in promoting human security to improve resilience so that conflict is less likely to emerge even in today’s more conflict-prone world marked by unilateralism and de-globalization.

The seminar provided valuable insights into the growing cooperation between Japan and Indonesia on issues regarding peace and conflict and how they can promote peace and stability in the world.

This seminar was featured in the following newspaper.