REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono agreed to deepen bilateral economic and security ties. They confirmed cooperation in the areas of trade and investment as well as infrastructure development in Indonesia during their talks in Jakarta.

Abe told a joint press conference with SBY that China's growth is "undoubtedly a plus" for Japan's economy but Beijing should act responsibly, in connection with their discussions that also covered territorial disputes involving China in the South China Sea and the East China Sea, as cited from Kyodo News. SBY said that issues in the waters should be resolved peacefully in line with international law and not by "might or military" force.

Abe and his wife, Akie Abe, visited Indonesia on the final leg of his three-nation tour of Southeast Asia. He visited Indonesia as Japan's premier for the first time since 2007.

Indonesian Presidential Staff on International Relations, Teuku Faizasyah, said Japan and Indonesia had strategic partnership signed in 2006 when SBY held state visit to Japan. Japan and Indonesia agreed last October on a wide-ranging plan to develop an urban railway, thermal power plants and other infrastructure in Jakarta by 2020 at a cost of roughly 3.4 trillion yen.

Based on data obtained by Ministry of Trade, the total volume of trade between Indonesia and Japan is 53.1 billion USD in 2011. Until October 2012, the volume has reached 44.85 billion USD.

After the talks, Abe leaves for Japan earlier than scheduled to cope with the hostage crisis in Algeria. He has cancelled a speech on Japan's foreign policy.

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