Japan to begin talks on exporting destroyers to Indonesia

Japan and Indonesia agreed Friday to begin working-level talks on the possible export of Asagiri-class destroyers to Jakarta as Tokyo accelerates defense cooperation with like-minded countries. Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and his Indonesian counterpart, Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, reached an agreement during talks in Tokyo, according to the ministry. Tokyo has been seeking to deepen defense equipment cooperation with security partners in the Indo-Pacific, including the Philippines and New Zealand, to bolster deterrence amid China’s military buildup and maritime assertiveness in the region. In April, Japan revised its three principles on the transfer of defense equipment and technology, and related implementation…