Japan and Indonesia are enhancing security cooperation after signing an accord in Tokyo on Tuesday.
Both countries' foreign and defense ministers agreed to make it possible for each nation to export defense equipment and transfer defense-related technologies to the other.
The deal came with China in mind as the ministers shared deep concerns about Beijing's actions to unilaterally and forcibly change the status quo in the East China and the South China seas.
Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi and their Indonesian counterparts Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto attended the 2-plus-2 meeting.
The agreement concerning the transfer of defense equipment and technology was signed after the meeting and went into effect immediately.
Tokyo has been negotiating with Jakarta with the aim of exporting for the first time its Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers. So far, Japan has signed similar pacts with nine countries, including the United States and Britain.
At the beginning of the 2-plus-2 meeting, Kishi expressed concerns about China's Coast Guard law, which stipulates criteria for coast guard vessels to use weapons.
"From the viewpoint of consistency with international laws, it contains problematic stipulations," Kishi said.
Retno said that it is important to make the Indo-Pacific region a peaceful and prosperous one.
Regarding the suppression of protesters by Myanmar's security forces, the ministers strongly condemned the rising number of people killed or injured and agreed to collaborate on the issue.
Ahead of the 2-plus-2 meeting, Retno and Prabowo held talks with Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga at the Prime Minister's Office.
Suga and the Indonesian ministers confirmed that the two countries will continue cooperating to promote the vision of a "free and open Indo-Pacific."
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