REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Lestari Priansari Marsudi met with Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia Tanizaki Yasuaki last Thursday to discuss numerous issues related to bilateral ties, the Japanese embassy in Jakarta said in a press statement, Monday.

At the meeting, Ambassador Tanizaki expressed gratitude to the Indonesian government for its statement denouncing the hostage taking of Japanese citizens by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and offered condolences to the relatives of those killed in the AirAsia flight QZ 8501 crash.

Minister Retno meanwhile hoped the hostage taking of Japanese citizens could be overcome soon and expressed gratitude to the Japanese government for its assistance in the search for the AirAsia flight QZ 8051.

Tanizaki said he is looking forward to activating the mutual visits of top officials of the two countries.

Indonesia not only has close relations with Japan in the economic field but is an important strategic partner of Japan as well, Tanizaki said.

He further revealed the planned visit of Japanese main business association to Indonesia.

The ambassador asked for the Indonesian government's assistance with regard to its visa exemption policy for five countries including Japan.

Indonesia will officially waive visa requirements for visitors from Australia, China, Japan, South Korea and Russia wishing to travel to the country as of January 2015 to boost the number of foreign tourists,

In response to the request, Minister Retno said she will try her best to get the request realized.

Both sides also discussed maritime consultations agreed upon at the Japanese-Indonesia Summit held in November last year.

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