Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Indonesian Ministry of Defense has affirmed enhanced defense cooperation with Japan particularly in the areas of defense industry collaboration and human resource development.”We have agreed to promote substantive cooperation in the defense industry and in the development of personnel between Indonesia and Japan, taking into account our respective national interests,” Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said.While delivering a joint statement with Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi in Jakarta on Monday, Sjamsoeddin stated that cooperation in the defense industry with Japan is a strategic step as it is expected to contribute to strengthening the domestic defense industry.Japan is considered to have strong capabilities in defense technology particularly in the development of primary weapons systems.By collaborating with Japan, Sjamsoeddin hoped that technology and knowledge transfer will improve the quality of the domestic defense industry.Furthermore, Sjamsoeddin and Koizumi will also strengthen cooperation in humanitarian missions particularly regarding disaster management.All points of cooperation will be discussed in a closed door meeting between the ministers currently taking place at the Ministry of Defense Office.The meeting will conclude with the signing of a defense cooperation contract to formalize these strategic initiatives.On the same occasion Koizumi considers defense cooperation with Indonesia a strategic step amid rising global conflict tensions, including in the Middle East.”These shared core values will make a major contribution to peace and stability, not only for our two countries but also for the region as a whole,” he stated.According to him the two countries share several fundamental similarities including being archipelagic nations which require strengthening maritime defense.He said by enhancing this cooperation both countries are expected to improve their defense capabilities while their bilateral relations continue to grow.