Indonesia Lifts All Fukushima-Linked Import Restrictions

Indonesian President Joko Widodo told Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday, July 28, 2022, that his country has lifted all restrictions on imports of Japanese food products that were imposed in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear crisis in 2011, the Japanese leader said, Mainichi Japan reported.

Photo Insert: Indonesian President Joko Widodo told Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida

Following a meeting in Tokyo, Kishida said at a joint press conference with Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, that they reaffirmed cooperation in realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific, with Japan vowing to strengthen maritime security in the region in response to China's assertive posture and military buildup.

"I hope bilateral security cooperation, including defense exchanges, will further advance," said Kishida, noting Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force is scheduled to join a multinational joint exercise in Indonesia in August for the first time.

Kishida said he conveyed Japan's intent to provide about 43.6 billion yen ($318 million) in loans to complete a hydroelectric plant in Indonesia while he welcomed the country's lifting of import restrictions on food products from seven Japanese prefectures saying "it encourages people in the disaster-hit areas."

Widodo said he asked Japan to reduce or abolish tariffs it imposes on some Indonesian products, including tuna, pineapple, and bananas, and to provide market access for mangoes.

The president also conveyed his condolences over the death of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was fatally shot earlier this month, saying Kishida's predecessor helped elevate bilateral relations to a strategic partnership.

As the president will chair this year's summit of the Group of 20 major economies in Bali in November, Kishida and Widodo agreed to work closely to ensure its success.

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