Japan is increasingly recognizing Indonesia’s strategic role in maintaining security in the Malacca Strait. Similar to the Strait of Hormuz in the Middle East, this narrow shipping lane serves as a vital artery for global trade, linking the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. The Chargé d’Affaires of the Japanese Embassy in Jakarta, Mitsuru Myochin, stated that Indonesia controls the largest portion of the Malacca Strait, positioning it as a key player in the concept of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

He explained that there are two major global chokepoints—the Strait of Hormuz and the Malacca Strait—and geographically, Indonesia holds the largest share of the latter, making its role increasingly significant. To enhance security in this area, Japan has provided grant assistance in the form of high-speed patrol vessels to the Indonesian Navy, as part of its new Official Security Assistance (OSA) scheme.

Through the OSA framework, the Japanese government is able to deliver defense equipment directly to the military of partner countries. Previously, Japan’s assistance under the ODA scheme was limited to civilian cooperation and coast guard support. Myochin elaborated that this new scheme allows Japan to strengthen Indonesia’s military capabilities, particularly in maritime security.

In addition to military support, Japan continues to assist in enhancing the capabilities of Indonesia’s coast guard (Bakamla), including the provision of large patrol vessels and the development of port infrastructure in outer island regions. These efforts aim to uphold the rule of law and ensure freedom of navigation in the Malacca Strait.

Japan also believes that improving interoperability between the defense forces of both countries will help prevent conflicts in the region. Therefore, this cooperation is intended to strengthen coordination between Japan’s Self-Defense Forces and the Indonesian military as part of a broader conflict prevention strategy.